SOUTH HOLLAND, IL –South Suburban College (SSC) is offering a new and unique program to residents of Community College District 510 – Barbering. The first cohort of students recently completed their initial semester within the Barber College, a brand new state-of-the-art, fully equipped facility on the first floor of the college’s Main Campus in South Holland. The Barber Shop is also now open for appointments during summer class instruction Mondays through Thursdays from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
The Barbering curriculum is a 17-month credit program leading to professional certification. SSC is offering a 41-hour Barber Technician (BT) Certificate and a 60-hour Associate of Applied Science Degree in Barbering track for students seeking a college degree as a part of the program. The BT Certificate is a hands-on learning experience that leads to quick employment. Both tracks will include preparation and testing for National Barbering Written Licensing Examination, which is essential to applying for licensure in Illinois. The program is unique in more ways than its curriculum.
“South Suburban College’s Barbering Program was the first active public Barber School in the state, and is now just one of two,” said Matt Beasland, Dean of Adult & Continuing Education and administrator over the Barber College. “It will provide our constituents with a much more affordable career credential leading to excellent earning and entrepreneurship potential.”
The SSC Board of Trustees and Chairman Frank M. Zuccarelli first announced the establishment of the program in December of 2019. The College subsequently received full approval from the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) this year as well as its licensure from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.
All books, supplies, and materials required to complete the program are included, and tuition may also be covered. The SSC Barbering program was established in part by a Workforce Equity Initiative (WEI) grant the college received through the Illinois Community College Board which included funding for several new in-demand programs. The WEI project is designed to create, support and expand short-term workforce training opportunities in high need areas within SSC District #510. Through expanded access, opportunity, and support services, the project is anticipated to yield impactful outcomes for individuals, families, communities, local businesses.
According to BLS data, the average salary for a Barber in Illinois is $42,930, or $20.64 per hour with an increase in demand by 10.8% locally and 13% nationally over the next 10 years. In the Southland area, there are currently 286 new job openings for barbers.
For more information about Barber School and the WEI programs at SSC, please call (708) 596-2000, ext. 2413, email workforceequity@ssc.edu or visit www.ssc.edu/wei.