Qualifications in the barbering and hairdressing space take too long to complete and are not fit for purpose, graduates entering the workforce lacking the skills needed to be work ready. Barbering especially has felt ignored, having little representation in sector governance.
Toi Mai is undergoing intensive review of barbering and hairdressing qualifications and standards, ensuring the voice of barbers is heard at a governance level.
Other Toi ā-Ringa industries, including makeup, skincare and creative writing, have also seen qualifications support, and scoping for floristry qualifications is underway.
Through the second half of 2023, Toi Mai kaimahi conducted an around-the-motu hikoi to gain insights from barbering and hairdressing business owners, employees, learners and industry bodies.
This was a key opportunity to capture what’s top of mind for these industries and how Toi Mai can help ensure that Toi ā-Ringa is future-proofed and supported by a skilled and thriving workforce.
This series of videos was released throughout the month of February 2024, sharing the thoughts of the wider barbering and hairdressing industry of Aotearoa on topics from fair industry practice to the value in qualifications.
As the workforce development council for the barbering and hairdressing sector, Toi Mai is positioned to help the industry to thrive and prepare for its future by being the voice of the collective in the vocational education and training space.
Meet our dedicated team of Toi ā-Ringa experts and begin the journey to creating a skilled and thriving workforce for today and the future of the industry.
Meet Michael Petrie, owner of Cuba Barbers in Wellington, and hear his take on the barbering industry today and what it needs to thrive going forward.
Meet industry newcomer Maui Ormsby, barber at Cuba Barbers in Wellington, and listen as he shares his whakaaro as a recent learner and apprentice barber.
This instalment in the barbering and hairdressing video series has the talented, award-winning hairdresser Mana Dave sharing his rich insights into the industry’s qualifications, its place in the international market and what needs to happen for its future.
The final instalment in our barbering and hairdressing video series features Niq James, the newly appointed Chief Executive of Hair & Barber New Zealand.
Watch the video to hear Niq share Hair & Barber New Zealand’s vision, with vocational education and training playing a key part in ensuring its industries are supported by a skilled, diverse and thriving workforce.
Toi Mai develops and maintains skills standards, micro-credentials and qualifications for the art and design sector. See every relevant qualification, including new qualifications and those under review.
We are currently scoping the floristry sector ahead of a qualifications review. Email us at [email protected] to get involved.
