Bārddzinis - pasaulē vecākā profesija

Project 'Barber: The Oldest Profession in the World' was created to fill the gap in professional qualifications for the barber profession in Latvia and partner countries. It aims to establish a ne...

The goal of the project was to raise the qualification level of the barber profession in Latvia by providing an opportunity to not only learn from world-class professionals but also to develop training materials that would enable individuals to acquire both the theoretical knowledge and practical skills of the profession. In our work in this field, we observed that the barber profession in Latvia lacks a unified educational foundation, which often leads to a shortage of qualified specialists. As the saying goes, barbers are often seen as failed hairdressers who are unable to develop their professional careers in other areas. We aimed to change this approach by promoting the profession's prestige and quality, raising its qualifications, expanding the knowledge base, and improving professional preparedness. The implementation of the project allowed us not only to train new barbers but also to create a solid foundation for future professionals, fostering the industry's development and international recognition.

As part of the project, we created several tools that helped achieve the project's goals. A book was published, which combines essential knowledge and the theoretical foundation of the profession. This is the first book created specifically for the barber profession, and it contains a wealth of useful information that will be valuable not only for professional barbers but also for any man. In addition, a mobile application was developed, offering both theoretical knowledge and practical information that is useful not only for professional barbers but also for any man who cares about his beard and hair. The app includes a training course, professional videos demonstrating how to become a barber, what tools to use, different beard styles and how to shape them, as well as many other helpful resources. A training course for new barbers was also implemented, which involved a curriculum combining theoretical knowledge acquired through the app, Zoom meetings with mentors, and practical knowledge gained through three mobility trips. The training course was refined based on the knowledge and experience of all project partners in the field and was further enhanced after the completion of the training process.

Barbers Handbook has been developed and published, including not only useful knowledge for professionals but also information valuable to enthusiasts. The book provides a comprehensive overview of the nuances of a barber’s work, tools, and techniques that can help anyone improve their beard grooming skills. Additionally, a mobile application has been created, serving as a learning resource. Using the app, both aspiring barbers can learn the profession and anyone interested can expand their knowledge of beard and hair care. The application is complemented by an e-book available in Latvian, English, and German. A tutorial course was developed, which includes theoretical knowledge through the app and practical skills in collaboration with professional barber salons. The project has promoted and updated the learning and qualification improvement of the barber profession, creating new opportunities for future professionals. Several vocational education institutions have received the developed book and expressed interest in implementing the training course to enhance the theoretical and practical skills of aspiring barbers.