You'll learn all about the barbering trade, its origins, how to talk to customers, initial cutting techniques, beards, moustaches and other skills that will lead you onto the level 4 barbering programme where you can become a fully qualified, commercial barber.
What you will learn
A student successfully completing this strand will be able to:
- Describe haircut structure and perform haircuts under supervision
- Design and shape beards and moustaches
- Blow dry barber cuts
- Use barbering tools safely
- Identify and explain hair and skin characteristics
- Demonstrate safe and professional practice in the barbershop
More detail about this qualification
- Start date: Thursday 11 February, 2027
- Weekly commitment
- Te Awakairangi (Petone) Campus: 9am-2:30pm (inc. 30min lunch), Thursday/Friday
- Whitireia Porirua Campus: 9am-2:30pm (inc. 30min lunch), Thursday/Friday
- Equipment needed: Students must wear closed-in shoes.
- Travel: This is provided free, subject to students meeting MoE requirements
- Application: Students must be enrolled in a secondary school in the Wellington region and be enrolled in a WTA course by their secondary school.
- Interview: Students may be requested to attend an interview with a family member or school representative.
- Qualification: You will gain 38 credits towards NCEA Level 3.
- Credits: On successful completion of this course, students will have gained 43 credits – 38 Level 3 and 5 Level 2 credits.
- Assessment: Assessment is competency-based against unit standard outcomes and related evidence requirements. Assessments will follow the processes required by NZQA and relevant industry requirements.
Assessment criteria
Further pathways
- New Zealand Certificate in Hairdressing (Salon Support) Level 3
- New Zealand Certificate in Commercial Barbering Level 4
Last updated: 8/9/2026
