Exciting new opportunities are now available for high school students of Clark County at the Cascadia Technical Academy in Vancouver, with the launch of a brand new barbering program at the start of 2025-2026 school year. This program comes after several months of preparation and planning, opening doors for students interested in pursuing a career in barbering
CTA offers many different programs, careers, and technical education to high school students by offering licensing opportunities at the end of their completion. Many programs require students to dedicate 2 years to fully complete their classes. Including college credits and certifications throughout the school year. Their main goals are to prepare high school students for learning and relevant skills in the many industries and career life they offer. Depending on your location they offer 16 to 20 programs to choose from. As of this year Barbeing had become an option for students in the Clark County district.
In today’s world barbering is a growing industry in today’s world of the 21st Century. It has evolved into a bond of tradition of techniques and modern styles. Barbers are skilled in Classic Cuts, Fades and shapes, but also stay current with trends. Technology has involved well with this industry as electric clippers and online booking systems make this part of the industry more efficient.. The use of a variety of tools and products to cater to diverse clients needs and continue building strong relationships with their communities. Barber shops often serve as social hubs, where people connect and share experiences. As the popularity in the barbering business continues to grow.
The barbing instructor of the new program shares his start of the barbering career and what prompted him. “So I liked the idea of being able to set my own hours and work with people and be super flexible, but my life really wanted me or needed me to be flexible at that time.” said Matt Kramer, instructor of the new program. “But I wanted to do something that I actually enjoyed and was interested in”. As many students who want to pursue careers of their personal choice and wish to have a flexible job out of the nine to five job opportunities given in today’s world.
Continuing from this aspect it is so flexible that it could be your main job at the same time it could be a side hustle while you’re still in college. If one decides to go deeper in the industry it’s always welcome as you already have your license and certification to do so. as it only takes 1,000 hours to get certified as a barber. As this opportunity is shared through Cascadia Technical Academy the certifications are given almost free exempting from the needed supplies provided by the school. Aside from other barbering schools, one has to pay at least approximately $12,000 to over $15,000, depending on the program and school.
Program development has occurred through the idea of students interested in the hair industry but won’t require as much time to get certified. As for students in cosmetology, hair design requires 1400 hours and the barbering program only 1,000. due to them targeting specifically on haircuts. “So it was just another opportunity to get kids in the door in the beauty industry”, said Tami Oppiliger, assistant principal in CTA”. This will have students finish the school day earlier than other programs, and to continue pursuing other extracurriculars giving students more time to pursue what they want. As they fully started prepping for the barbering program earlier this spring of 2025. Towards the end of summer it started to be brought up to life for the school year finalizing all of their planning for this year’s and future classes of the curriculum.
For those who wish to be a part of the barbering industry requires you to be self-pushed and motivated. As no one else is pushing you except yourself to acquire all the skills and trends that are always ongoing and changing in the industry. “This is a self-push job, and here in Cascadia you could literally walk across the stage, hop in your car, drive and take your test, and start cutting hair as a barber”. Said Matt Kramer. “And I just don’t know where you’re going to get that opportunity anywhere else”. And for those who plan to be part of the 2026 – 2027 school year in Cascadia there are certain requirements that you need to push yourself too. Attendance is highly important here as you spend more time there acquiring knowledge and if not present you lose it. CTA has an attendance policy regarding absences, if you reach a certain limit consequences follow. “So learning how to be here consistently, have, you know, good work ethic, embrace it, and you know.” said Tami Oppiliger,, “really push yourself to be the best that you can be”
As the barbering program progresses over the year and the future years, it will help equip students with the skills, knowledge, and professional ethics needed to excel as a licensed barber. Welding traditional techniques with modern trends to meet diverse clients needed in a community focused environment. The program will set them up for successful careers in a growing industry. Looking ahead at this program. Next year, the second-year students of the barbering program will be open for public services.
