Triton College Barber Certificate Offers Opportunity to Flex Creativity and Begin a Dynamic Career in a Growing Industry

RIVER GROVE, Ill.—Nearly a year since its launch, Triton College’s Barber Certificate Program is in full swing, providing students with hands-on-experience and expert instruction in a rapidly growing industry. With the demand for licensed barbers on the rise, Triton’s program equips students with the training needed to step into a dynamic field and encourages students to flex their artistry.

Program Chair Zachary Morris, a licensed barber with more than 16 years in the business, teaches class in a cutting-edge barbering facility on the Triton College campus. The space is designed to simulate a real-world barbershop environment. Students in search of a traditional course with laborious notetaking and endless lectures would be disappointed, Morris said.

“Students are going to learn everything from anatomy to electricity, infection control, business management, haircutting, skincare and electrotherapy,” said Morris. “There’s so many things that they’ll be covering.”

Morris leads his classes with a fierce passion for barbering and a commitment to cultivating the next generation of barbers and hair stylists. Drop by his classroom and you’ll see focused students hard at work. Stay a little longer, and you’ll also notice how Morris laughs with his students while catchy music plays in the background.

“Class is always lighthearted,” he said. “Class is really about the students, because this is their experience and it’s my job to help facilitate that. I know what the pertinent information they need. I know how to deliver it in a way that they understand it.”

Morris is proud of his class and shares that he likes to create an environment where students are not afraid to ask questions and are eager to learn more. While fostering a friendly environment is key, Morris’s top priority is ensuring that each student will be able to thrive and excel in the professional world.

“Granted, I’m a stickler when it comes to the book, but I hold you accountable because there’s nothing more frustrating than getting out of school and realizing you don’t have the tools or the foundation to succeed.”

Triton’s barbering curriculum includes haircutting, styling, coloring techniques, skincare, esthetics, shaving, chemical services, and sanitation. Morris also instructs his students in business acumen, communications and client relations.

“Barbering is more than just putting some clippers in my hand,” he said. “If you were a barber and just grabbed some clippers, you’d only be really practicing 20 percent of what we do. A good barber is someone who’s reliable, dependable and trustworthy and has integrity about their work. Those are the students who tend to do well in the program and finish it to completion.”

Among Morris’s students is Jaime Lugo of Berwyn, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and self-taught barber who has been cutting hair since he was a kid. Lugo joined Triton’s Barber Certificate Program to earn his license and one day open his own shop.

“I’ve cut hair for years—even while l was in the Marine Corps—and now that I’m home, I just kind of wanted to put a pin in it,” he said. “I’ve done it for so long without a license. Let me do it with a license and open up some new doors for me.”

Earning a license will allow Lugo to run his own business one day or work at high-end establishments that require certification prior to employment.

For Lugo, a big draw of the profession is that it encourages creativity and an entrepreneurial spirit. Lugo added that barbers and hair stylists play a pivotal role in their communities.

“During my time cutting hair, there were instances where my chair became like a therapy chair,” he said. “Guys would sit there and tell me about their daily lives. Whenever I was working with the youth, it gives you a chance to provide a bit of mentorship and guidance, as well as, obviously, the haircut.”

The Barber Certificate requires 50 credit hours, equivalent to 1,500 clock hours required by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. After completing the program, students will be eligible for the Illinois Licensed Barber Examination.

Graduates will be ready to enter into a growing industry. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for barbers, hairstylists and cosmetologists is projected to grow eight percent by 2032, which is faster than the average for all occupations. The median hourly wage is $18-25 per hour with experienced professionals earning more. Top employers include salons and spas, beauty brands, media and self-employment opportunities.

Information about Triton College’s Barber Certificate Program and how you can enroll is available here.

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Media Contacts:
Melissa Ramirez Cooper | melissacooper@triton.edu | 708-456-0300, Ext. 3692
Hunter Oberst | hunteroberst@triton.edu | 708-456-0300, Ext. 3836

ABOUT TRITON COLLEGE
Triton College is an institution of higher education dedicated to student success. Triton offers more than 120 degree and certificate programs designed for students to realize their career aspirations and effectively compete in a global economy. The college campus spans 110 acres in River Grove, Illinois, holds classes at satellite locations and offers online learning opportunities. Triton’s exemplary faculty and staff work to provide high-quality, convenient and affordable educational opportunities to more than 10,000 students each year. Triton College is a member of The Community Colleges of Illinois and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Learn more at triton.edu.