David has aspirations to mind his own barbering business

David has aspirations to mind his own barbering business A career change might be a dream move for some people, but for David Moorehead, the curve ball of an economic recession knocked him off his pathway, until he decided a move into Barbering was now or never.  After another set-back in the form of Covid, David is now ready to complete his Level 3 in Barbering at SERC and making headway for a new career.

When David, (34), left school following his GCSEs, he started an apprenticeship in mechanics. Just short of qualifying for his Level 3, due to recession in 2008, he was made redundant.  Unable to secure another position to complete his qualification, and needing to be in work, he took on a role in security, working in dog handling and at large scale public events.

He said, "I considered doing a barbering course several years ago, but at the time my circumstances just didn’t fit with going back to college.  I had been doing some barbering at home, so I had a little knowledge, skill and some equipment to get me going. When I finally did get around to signing up for a course, covid hit and everything shut down for me."

“When things opened up again, I decided it was now or never.   I live in Belfast and had applied to SERC and another college for the same course, but it was a friend’s recommendation that brought me to SERC.   He mentioned that the tutors were great and very supportive and there were plenty of opportunities to extend your knowledge.  As a mature student, it sounded exactly what I needed, so I applied online and came along for an interview, and got a really good feeling about the course and where it could take me."

“I started the Level 2 in Barbering which gave me the perfect foundation for progression. You cover everything from anatomy of hair to products, skin conditions and the everyday tools for the job, but most importantly, it gives you the chance to build up your confidence. By the time I got to the Level 3, it was all about mastering and perfecting the practical aspects of barbering and with this came more confidence."

“Experience is everything and I am keen to keep improving myself. My sister-in-law has her own hair salon, so last summer I was able to rent out a chair at her salon and work over the summer before returning to college."

He continued, “My long-term plan is to have my own business, maybe multiple shops.  In the back of my head, I always wanted to be my own boss and barbering is going to help me realise my ambitions. I have experienced what it is like when you are working and settled, and everything gets turned on its head.   I know the kind of employer I want to be and the team I want to have around me.  I have primary school aged children, a girl and a boy, and it would be great to build something up that they could follow into if they wanted to follow in that direction."

Speaking about coming back to college as a mature student, David said, “Yes, I am the eldest in the class, but it has never been an issue in terms of learning, and I am treated like one of the gang by my classmates, even though I am the same age as the father of one of them! At the end of the day, we're all in the same boat and I am exactly where I want to be right now.”

Apply now for courses commencing September 2024.   Come along to our full-time open evening from 4.00pm – 7.00pm on Thursday 7 March at the Bangor, Downpatrick, Lisburn and Newtownards Campuses.