Stacey Thomas basically grew up in thehair salon.
Her mother taught her how to do hair while she grew up in Stockton, California.
Thomas also worried that she wouldnt learn enough aboutnatural hairin a traditional program.
Getty
“One of my sons has braids and one of them haslocs.
Natural hair is important to me.”
Though it’s been around since 1992, it’s a road less traveled than the beauty school route.
There is also a smaller electrology track that has graduated just six students since its inception in 2006.
After two years and 3,200 hours of training, apprentices like Thomas can apply for the state board.
If she passes, shell get her cosmetology license just like anyone else.
“[I like] being in a salon working with all types of hair,” she says.
It’s a good feeling that I wouldn’t change for anything."
Smith tellsAllurethat she began accepting applicants for the apprenticeship program due to the realities of the student debt crisis.
“You’re getting paid to learn and build up a clientele, she says.
I don’t know how you could beat that.”
Thomas hopes that more people will take advantage of the program.
“People need to understand how this program works,” she adds.
“It will change lives.”
