NECCEE BATTLES WITH WIA FOR TUITION FUNDING

FROM THE OWNER AND DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION, PATRICIA BUTTERFIELD

THE ISSUE AT HAND

For many years the WIA (Workforce Investment Act) that represents Hampshire, Franklin and Berkshire counties, has refused to provide funding for potential students. We recently submitted data to them showing that NECCEE meets their funding criteria. However, they are still unwilling to approve us. Director Michael Truckey has indicated his doubt that people who choose this career path are unable to make a decent living. We feel that this “elitist” attitude is unacceptable and unjustified.

As a point of notable interest, NECCEE is approved for and receives tuition funding for potential students through all the other state agencies that provide such funding, including WIA for Hampden County.

I have been in contact with local lawmakers who have contacted Mr.Truckey on behalf of the school. They have suggested that we gather data about successful NECCEE graduates who are making a fine living in the beauty industry and present this data to Mr. Truckey when we meet on October 29^th.

WHAT THIS MEANS TO POTENTIAL STUDENTS

This would allow many potential students from these three counties to obtain tuition funding so that they have the opportunity to attend NECCEE. In these tough economic times, this would be a lifeline to these folks.

The following are comments sent to Mr. Truckey's in response to his explanation re non-funding for the careers of cosmetologists and estheticians by the WIA.

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Compensation for hairstylists and estheticians can be structured several ways:

1. Hourly wage and commission

2. Strictly commission (this is used mostly for experienced stylists who have a following)

3. Weekly salary and compensation

DATA ON WAGES FOR COSMETOLOGISTS AND ESTHETICIANS

NECCEE provided links to WIA from CareerOneStop, a website that compiles wage tables for all professions from all around the country. These various tables show annual wages as well as hourly wages for cosmetologists and estheticians for 2008.

The text below is off a website where potential students can look for school in their area.

How much can I expect to earn as a professional in the cosmetology industry?
According to both NACCAS and the United States Department of Labor, salon professionals can average up to $50,000 including tips. The 2003 NACCAS Job Demand Survey reveals that cosmetologists have dramatically increased their earning power today with zero unemployment due to the severe shortage of licensed salon professionals. Some of the main factors that determine income include the size and location of the salon, hours worked, the tipping habits of clients, and competition from other salons and shops. A cosmetologist's ability to bring in and maintain regular clients is another factor in determining potential earnings. According to The United States Department of Labor many cosmetologists, and other personal appearance workers receive commissions based on the price of the service, or they earn a salary based on hours worked. Nearly every professional in the cosmetology industry receive tips and commissions for the products they sell. Some salons pay bonuses to employees who bring in new business.

Which jobs in the field of beauty and cosmetology are in most demand?
According to the United States Department of Labor employment of hairdressers, hairstylists, cosmetologists, skin care specialists, and shampooers is projected to grow between 10-20 percent through year 2010. Employment of manicurists and pedicurists is expected to increase 21-35 percent over the same period.

It is important to note that additional income is derived not only from hair/skin services but also from the sales of retail products plus tips that can be substantial in increasing overall income.

Employers sometimes offer benefits but no more or less than any other career in this economic downturn.

Average salary for a Cosmetologist or Esthetician (whom you do not mention in your comments and to whom the school provides training) depends on the type of salon/spa at which the person is employed. It also depends a great deal on location, with opportunities for earnings generally higher in larger cities.

When Bill Ochoa who started two successful salons/spas in W. Springfield andS. Hadley, came to our school as a motivational guest speaker, he told our students that in his salons – and there are others that are in that caliber - his top stylists could command a 90K salary!

There are stylists in New York City and other major cities who charge $500 plus for a haircut. Generally speaking, after the first year or two of building a clientele a cosmetologist/esthetician salary can range from 25K to 35K. In the better markets it can climb to 50K or 60K.

WIA funds programs such as Medical Assisting and Health Claims. These are positions that start at $9 per hour and are at entry level ($18,720K annually). If anything, cosmetology and esthetician positions provide better compensation.

You state that your customers are interested in employment that pays higher and with benefits. However, some of those customers are prospective students who come to us with a desire to train as a cosmetologist or esthetician and then come to WIA for assistance and are then rejected by WIA.

NECCEE’s percentage of graduates, placement and hourly wage standards meet all WIA criteria. Along with this it is also difficult to understand is WIA’s refusal to fund our programs when we are approved by the other WIA areas (Hampden County) in Massachusetts.

I am aware that there are still a few remnants of the stigma that once attached to the field of cosmetology. In this age of celebrity hair stylists and elegant destination spas most of that stigma is simply gone. The compensation levels, job satisfaction, and business opportunities that abound in the fields of hair and skin care have largely swept away such elitist notions. Furthermore, these professions have shown a strong resistance to the severe downturn in the economy.

In light of all of the above, I ask you most urgently to change your policy.

Footnote: NECCEE has a meeting scheduled with Director Truckey on October 28th. Also attending on behalf of NECCEE will be Paul Dunphy, Legislative Aide from Representative Steve Kulik's office and Teri Anderson, Director of Economic Development for the City of Northampton.

To be continued......