The Truth About VTCT & ITEC: Why They Don’t Deliver What You Need

For decades, aspiring barbers in Ireland have been told they need a VTCT or ITEC qualification to succeed. These names have been marketed as gold standards, promising career readiness and job security. But here’s the truth: they’re unnecessary, outdated, and often more about making money than delivering real value. It’s time to pull the wool from over people’s eyes and expose how these course providers have been taking advantage of eager minds.

At IBC, we’ve designed a certification that focuses on what really matters: skill, experience, and real-world readiness. Our certification is recognized by employers who value hands-on expertise over theoretical qualifications.

Why VTCT & ITEC Fall Short

1. Theory Over Practical Skills
   These qualifications focus heavily on theory - endless modules about health and safety, anatomy, and business basics. While some of this knowledge is useful, it doesn’t teach you how to execute a perfect skin fade, handle a difficult client, or manage a busy day in a real barbershop. Employers aren’t looking for someone who can recite textbook definitions; they want barbers who can deliver real haircuts and customer service.

2. A Lack of Real-World Experience
   Many VTCT & ITEC barber courses rely on mannequin heads for practice, giving students minimal exposure to real clients. But the reality is that barbering isn’t just about cutting hair - it’s about working with people. Confidence comes from experience, not classroom simulations. Without hands-on training, graduates are left unprepared for the challenges of a real barbershop.

3. Expensive and Overhyped
   These courses are often marketed as the "must-have" qualifications, with hefty price tags to match. Students pay thousands for certifications that do little to set them apart in the job market. What they’re really buying is a piece of paper - not the skills or confidence to back it up.

Why the Industry Prefers Experience Over Certifications

Here’s something the other course providers won’t tell you: barbershops don’t care about VTCT, ITEC, or QQI qualifications. Employers want barbers who can cut hair, handle clients, and adapt to the fast-paced shop environment. They don’t care if you’ve memorized salon management theory or passed a generic multiple-choice test.

Our own IBC Certification is different. It’s not just a piece of paper; it’s a testament to your real-world experience. Employers trust it because they know it reflects hands-on training, client interactions, and a curriculum designed to produce skilled, confident barbers. When you walk into a barbershop with an IBC Certification, you’re proving that you’ve done the work, not just passed a test.

What Sets the IBC Certification Apart

1. Hands-On Training from Day One
   Our students spend minimal time with mannequins or theory-heavy lessons. At IBC, you’re cutting real hair on real clients in a real barbershop environment. By graduation, you’ll have hundreds of hours of practical experience under your belt.

2. Experience-Based Qualification
   The IBC Certification is recognized for what it represents: the ability to step into any barbershop and perform. Employers know that our graduates are trained to handle real-world challenges with confidence and skill to back it up.

3. Employer-Trusted
   Unlike VTCT or ITEC qualifications, the IBC Certification is respected by barbershop owners who prioritize practical expertise. They understand that our graduates have been trained in an environment that mirrors the realities of the industry.

Breaking the Cycle of Misleading Promises

For too long, VTCT & ITEC course providers have capitalized on the hopes and dreams of aspiring barbers, offering expensive qualifications that do little to prepare students for the realities of the industry. It’s time to stop buying into the myth.

At IBC, we’re not here to sell you a certificate for the sake of it. We’re here to give you the skills, experience, and confidence you need to succeed—and to provide a certification that actually means something in the real world.

Your Career Starts with Real Training and Real Recognition

If you’re ready to stop wasting time and money on outdated certifications and start building a real career, we’re here to help. The IBC Certification isn’t just a qualification - it’s a badge of honor that shows you’ve mastered the craft of barbering through hard work and hands-on experience.

The choice is simple: invest in your future with practical training and a respected certification, or keep paying for qualifications that employers don’t even ask for. The decision is yours.