Blue Hills Cosmetology Program Teaches Skills That Can't Be Outsourced

A customer service job can be shipped around the globe. American manufacturing gigs have dried up at an outstanding pace over the past few decades. A hairdresser, though, cannot be exported.

And so the Adult Cosmetology course at Blue Hills Regional Technical School in Canton draws a diverse range of students from across the area, from Boston to Dedham and beyond. The 14-month program, held Monday through Thursday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. in a large space on the lower level of the school, offers 1,000 hours of education, enough to qualify for a state hairdressers license test.

"Even if [students] don't follow through with their career, which sometimes they don't, they still have a marketable skill," Judy Bass, a Blue Hills spokeswoman, said. "You never lose by getting that education. Everybody needs a haircut."

One of the course's two instructors, Jen Houle, knew she wanted to be a hairdresser at age 5, and was accepted into her top choice vocational program. She graduated from Blue Hills in 1997, spending time in corporate styling before establishing her own space at a hair salon in Abington and returning to the school to teach.

Houle's smile – she says a warm personality is an integral part of success in the industry – beamed out infectiously from behind the reception desk at Blue Hills on a recent February evening. Consecutive snow storms had given students a couple days off (the program closes in unison with the school), and now two of seven were cutting hair to one side of the room.

"I love being a teacher," Houle said. "A lot of people think [hairdressers] sit and talk all day... you're a therapist, you're a chemist. You've got to understand color, you've got to understand chemical reactions."

Students in the $6,500 program start at different times throughout the year, Houle said, meaning they might begin on a Monday night, when books open to the science of hair and skin, or another day, when mannequins and regular customers receive hair cuts, facials, coloring, perms and more. Prices, set by the school, range from $7 for a cut to $25 for a foil frosting.

Up to 250 hours, students practice on models spread throughout the room, learning the basics, such as blow drying, curling and flat ironing. After that, they take on hair cutting, facials and manicures while moving on to real customers, and at around 400 hours start to learn perms, colors and other advanced chemical techniques.

"You've got to learn the whole nine yards," Houle said. "Everybody who's here is here because they have a passion for hair."

At 1,000 hours, students earn a small graduation ceremony, where Houle presents a cake, card and celebratory hat. They must then schedule an appointment to take the state test, which upon passing allows them to operate as a hairdresser. A higher-level license, at two years of experience, provides the ability to operate or manage a salon or teach.

"I will never forget my test," Houle said. "I was extremely glad when I had that piece of paper in my hand that said I was a hairdresser."

Paula Burns teaches the academic portion of the course, which is completely separate from the day, high school program. Other continuing education classes include culinary, technology and medical.

While all of her students have been women so far, Houle said, men are oftentimes exceptional hairdressers. "We need more of them if you ask me."

Houle's is a family of Blue Hills graduates, she said. Her brother, seven years older, attended for auto repair, while her older sister completed the nursing program. She also had an uncle who taught at the school. "Coming here was a huge eye opener for me," Houle said, because she was exposed to students of vastly different backgrounds. Avon, Braintree, Canton, Dedham, Holbrook, Milton, Norwood, Randolph and Westwood all send kids to Blue Hills.

When Houle's students get their hands on their first client, nerves can start chattering. The customers at Blue Hills know it is a teaching environment, she said, "But when it's your first client you're still freaking out."

The Braintree native recounted one student who "gave the worst haircut in the world," but whose customer service skills landed her the occasional $100 tip. "She made people feel like they were No. 1," Houle said. "Personality is huge."

Editor's Note: Clarification: In the 10th paragraph, it previously stated that 2,000 hours were required for another license. In fact, the requirement is two years of experience.