Great Plains gets new Cosmetology program, under construction

For anyone walking through the front doors of their first job out of school, it’s nerve-wracking. You’re always trying your best to show your knowledge and experience from school and translate it into succeed in the real world. You’re also hoping to a higher power that you won’t slip up because you’re afraid if you slip up, you’re fired. 

You eventually get your first client and everything goes smoothly so far. After many more clients, you look at the clock and already it’s time to go home. All of a sudden, your boss comes over and praises you on your successful first day. 

You go home, thankful that the training you got from Cosmetology school was worth it.

Great Plains Technology Center (GPTC) started their new Cosmetology program for high school students in August. Students from all over Comanche county can come to campus to learn the trade.

Construction is currently in progress to build the new classroom. For now, they are using a computer lab to learn safety and textbook basics. With the time that it takes to teach the curriculum, the classroom will already be finished, Krissy Miller, Cosmetology Instructor at GPTC said. 

“Typically with Cosmetology, you have 150 hours of intro that you teach,” Miller said. “You’re introducing X amount of curriculum to them before they get big into their hands-on training. With that amount of hours, we have enough time span to allow construction to be done. The basics are taught over two years…by the time construction’s done, they will have enough theory information to be ready to jump right into hands-on once the facility’s done.”

Even though construction is underway, Miller said it won’t affect how the class functions.

“Because the students are able to have computers, the majority of the curriculum is done online,” Miller said. 

At a recent school board meeting, they approved the purchase of 25 laptops to continue teaching the course.

“We are getting close to moving into the classroom for Cosmetology and it was time to buy a classroom set of computers,” Blake Thomas, Instructional Leader for the class said. “Laptops were the best option for that setting. There are up to 22 students in A.M. and P.M. (classes) each. A.M. students login using their information and then logout. Then P.M. students use the computers in the afternoon. Twenty-five laptops allow each student to use a computer and extras in case of technical difficulties or expansion down the road.”

Thomas said they estimate construction to be over by mid-September to the beginning of October. The facility will house a large salon area, a nail room, a classroom and other necessary spaces.

Miller said the program is a 1,000 hour program where high school students can learn everything about Cosmetology.

“They learn everything from hair, skin and nails,” Miller said. “They learn hair cutting, hair coloring, chemical texturizing, manicures, pedicures, artificial nails, makeup and facials. The only thing that they don’t learn is straight blade shaving, which is considered barbering. It’s a two-year program, so they basically learn everything they need to know of how to get out into the workforce and have that basic understanding of Cosmetology.”

Miller said Cosmetology is the most popular program to be put into a career tech. The program trains students to get an obtainable license so by the time they graduate, they’ll already have their state license.

“You get to be yourself and be unique,” Miller said. “You get to pick what part of Cosmetology you want to do. You don’t have to do it all. You can become a nail tech, an esthetician, you can just do hair. You really have a wide variety of specialties that you can dabble in.”

One of the many perks of the program is that students will learn how to start and manage a business in their newly built classroom by having the public come in for affordable services. If someone wants to get a color, style, cut, wax, or any other services, they can do so at the facility.

“You can also be your own business owner,” Miller said. “You don’t have to necessarily have that nine to five job. You can build a company, a business around how it fits your lifestyle.” 

On top of that, when it comes to community service, the students will also offer community haircuts for events like back to school.

The program is intended for high school students only, Thomas said. Participating high schools include Lawton, MacArthur, Eisenhower, Elgin, Geronimo, Cache, Sterling and many more. GPTC in Frederick also has a Cosmetology program, but for adults.