One can argue that the partnership between Capital Region BOCES and area hair salons is a “sheer” delight for the students and the business alike.
The connection between BOCES and one salon is particularly strong, with more than a half-dozen current and former Career and Technical Education Center Cosmetology students finding employment at Latham-based Grit + Grace Salon Boutique.
“We have a very strong pipeline for our graduates into area salons and boutiques, and Grit + Grace is among the top of the area salons in terms of working with our students and hiring them,” said Jean Hoffer, Cosmetology teacher.
During a recent career fair on the Career and Technical Education Center – Albany Campus, 2022 graduate Ashley Francis was one of the representatives of Grit + Grace, answering questions and recruiting students.
“I love it at Grit + Grace,” the Guilderland High School graduate said. “BOCES totally prepared me for the world and gave me what I needed to get started in the industry.”
BOCES seniors Lillian White and Marissa Phillips are currently employed by the salon after making a connection with the business through the Cosmetology program.
“I did work-based learning there (through BOCES) over the summer and finished in the fall and now I am in the associate’s program,” Phillips, a Niskayuna senior, said. “I am planning to be a stylist when I graduate and get my license.”
White did her work-based learning elsewhere but learned about the salon during an educational presentation at BOCES.
“I met a representative, introduced myself and they brought me in for an interview and hired me as an associate,” White said. “It has been great. I love it there.”
Both students said they are ready for the next challenge thanks to BOCES and the connection they made with an employer.
“BOCES set me up for success by giving me the basis of knowledge and allowing me to network,” White, a Shenendehowa student, said.
“It is great to get matched with a career through BOCES,” added Phillips.
Grit + Grace representatives said they value the salon’s connection with BOCES and the skilled workers it produces for them/
“It’s tough to get people because there are so many options out there,” said salon representative Abbigail Bilow. “But BOCES allows us to find talented people and bring them in.”
As to the current students working for them, the salon officials had nothing but praise.
“They are real sweethearts and want to learn,” Bilow said.
“Oh my God are they amazing, they are so good,” added fellow salon representative Kate Vardy.
There are more than 100 students enrolled in the Cosmetology program that is offered on the Albany and Schoharie campuses. Students learn everything from shampooing, rinsing, conditioning, artistry in hair styling, decontamination and infection control to hair removal, manicuring and nail disorders and financial planning.
Capital Region BOCES works with more than 300 business, union and education partners to help fuel the regional and state economies. Through these partnerships, students are able to launch careers directly out of high school or land jobs that will help them pay for future educational opportunities.
For information on how to become a business partner or how to host students for work-based learning, contact Liddle at 518-862-4823 or nancy.liddle@neric.org or go to https://www.capitalregionboces.org/career-technical-education/business-partners/.