Jenny Todd is teaching the new EIT Certificate in Barbering Skills.

Jenny Todd can’t wait to kick start EIT’s New Zealand Certificate in Barbering Skills (Level 3). Jenny has been a hairdresser since she was 16 and completed a two year hairdressing certificate at EIT herself. While travelling for two years she gained international work experience while working in various salons throughout England. The mother of three had to gain further teaching qualifications through EIT in order to teach hairdressing and barbering.

After all these years she is still passionate about cutting, styling and working with people’s hair: “I love the transformation people can go through. The science behind it is fascinating too”.

When it comes to cutting she prefers men’s cuts. “It’s amazing how much detail goes into it. Doing fades, ‘combovers’ or trimming long beards is an absolute art. Facial hair has a growth pattern that barbers have to work out. And then it’s about trimming, shaping and sculpting it,” Jenny explains.

Men are becoming more open about looking after themselves, for example by using a fragrant beard oil. Years ago female barbers were a rare species but today it’s common for women to give it a go. “The barber community is very supportive in terms of sharing their ideas,” says Jenny.

Qualified hairdressers who want to attend the barbering programme at EIT are able to cross credit some of their qualifications into the new EIT certificate. Hairdressers can then complete some of the certificate’s special units to become a qualified barber.