Middle Georgia Technical College

MGTC adds Barbering

July 18, 2006

Author: Kristy Warren, Houston Home Journal Staff Writer

Middle Georgia Technical College has added Barbering to its list of courses this summer. MGTC has long had a cosmetology program, but now wants to cater to more specific needs of the area with a barbering program.

Tuesday of last week marked the first day of classes for the nine enrolled in the school’s first ever quarter of barbering. According to program chair of Cosmetology and Barbering, Wanda Webb, students will learn theory, personal images, and skin, scalp and hair theory in their first semester.

The program is a total of five quarters with the last being academics. The class meets five days a week from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m., with class getting out 11 a.m. on Wednesdays to allow the instructor to be available on the main campus. In the future, says Webb, we plan to have an evening schedule and crossover classes for those interested in cosmetology and barbering.

Barbering 100 is taught by Leon Towles, who- like the program- is new to the school. Next quarter, the students will be accepting clients at their lab location in the Houston Mall, where they will learn cutting, shaving, and style cuts.

Middle Georgia Tech is one of five technical schools in the state to offer a barbering program. Atlanta, Lagrange, Augusta, Central Georgia Tech, and now MGTC offer the program.

“We’re hoping to capture that students that’s coming from out of town too,” said Webb of the new program. “There is no school south of Warner Robins that offers barbering as a program.”

The school’s cosmetology program is still in demand with a full service salon “lab,” where students are trained on mannequins and also practice on each other and take clients. Mallory Hammond, a fourth quarter graduating senior is enjoying her experience with the program.

“The way the program is set up is really helpful,” said Hammond. “You don’t get thrown into it. You gradually work your way into the salon- it’s a great program.”

Hammond currently works part time at L.A. Design Studio and plans to get her own booth there after she graduates. Each student needs 1500 hours to graduate, which are tracked with the completion of time sheets. Students are required to have performed a certain number of hours in each area to graduate. 300 hours are needed in haircutting, 50 hours in facials, etc. Students accumulate the required hours by taking customers from the public, doing classmates’ hair, and working on mannequins.

Fourth quarter students do their classmates’ hair on Mondays, take clients on Tuesdays and Thursdays, test on Wednesdays and have classroom time on Fridays. Second quarter students go in the lab on Fridays to ease their way into the “floor” experience. Evening classes meet Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays this quarter.

The cosmetology school has been able to build up a regular and consistent clientele over the years. The salon offers a range of services including facials, hair color, cut, and wash, manicures and pedicures, permanents/relaxers, and styles. Prices are minimal, ranging from a $2 shampoo or beard trim and going up to around $30 for highlights. Dollie McIver has been a customer for years. “I love this place,” she says, “You feel so welcome and they’re so professional.”

Current cosmetology instructor Jolie Martin attended MGTC to get her license years ago and is now back at the school teaching. She graduated with her cosmetology diploma and spent some time working before deciding she would like to teach others how to do the job she loves.

Martin enrolled in MGTC’s instructor’s license course and passed the state board exam a year later, qualifying her to teach anywhere in the state. Martin is excited about being able to teach during the day and cater to her own clientele in the evening at Salon 51 on Corder Road in Warner Robins. To learn about all the programs offered at Middle Georgia Tech, visit their web site at www.middlegatech.edu. To make an appointment with the cosmetology department, call 988-6913.