Real Barber Academy, Kajang

Real Barber Academy in Kajang, Selangor, is the longest-running Malaysian provider here. Its intakes are numbered in the hundreds, which is itself evidence of a substantial operating history rather than a recent launch.

Three packages run: Basic, aimed at cutting for family or personal use; Premier, covering intermediate to advanced work for side income or employment; and Ultimate, which adds a business guide on top of the technical progression. Part-time options are available for people already working, free accommodation is offered to male students, payment can be spread across up to three interest-free instalments, and graduates get continuing support through a group chat plus job placement help where they qualify.

Two caveats. Neither fees nor course hours are published anywhere on the site, so both need establishing directly. And while the academy states it is licensed by the Department of Skills Development, no registration number is published and we could not corroborate it against the registry. Worth asking for in writing if the accreditation is what you are paying for.