Barbering and Esthetics

Barbering, esthetics available for high school students at TCC
Posted on 01/26/2021
Five barbering chairs and stations have been established at the Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center.

The Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center has begun recruiting area high school students for esthetics and barbering programs offered for the first time under the cosmetology umbrella.

The career fields ranked toward the top of an interest study conducted in February, after students inquired about the options during recruitment events held last school year. In May, the Missouri State Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners gave TCC officials the green light for the expanded programming.

“A lot of high school kids come through the program planning to go to a four-year college, and use this as a job while [pursuing a degree],” explained Amanda Howard, cosmetology instructor. “Several students work in local salons as a career.”

During the 2018/19 school year, federal funding was utilized to renovate the TCC’s salon, replacing the flooring and installing new shampoo bowls, and creating space for barbering stations. Several esthetician rooms were also constructed in the building, allowing the revamped program to become available again for adult students at the time.

Now high school students can also become skin care specialists, and learn how to perform facials, chemical peels, microdermabrasions, massaging, waxing and sugaring, staff said. Within the barbering pathway, students will be taught how to clean up a hairline and beard utilizing a conventional straight razor. The TCC offered crossover barbering as an enrichment to licensed cosmetologists last year, but 47 additional hours were required for completion.

The cosmetology program was started during the 2001/2002 school year. Susan Chronister, who has been teaching the program since then, said she is happy to see the courses evolve to offer more sections going forward in what she called a "recession-proof industry." She has plans to retire at the end of the current school year.

Enrollment for Poplar Bluff and sending school seniors into the one-year barbering and esthetics programs will remain open through March. "It's a fantastic opportunity for students to start a profession or supplement their income while they go to college with a skill set that will benefit themselves and their families for the rest of their lives," stated Charles Kinsey, TCC director.

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Cutline: Five barbering chairs and stations have been established at the Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center as the staff makes preparations to offer the programming to high schoolers.

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