Olive-Harvey College Launches barbering Program for High School Students (Chicago, IL) – Olive-Harvey College is launching a new barbering program this spring that will allow Chicago public high school students to begin training for a career in the barbering industry while still in school.
The program, part of City Colleges of Chicago and Chicago Public Schools’ Early College initiative, will offer dual-credit barbering courses starting in spring 2026. Students will be able to earn college credit toward either an Associate in Applied Science degree or an advanced certificate in barbering before they graduate from high school.
College and city leaders will formally mark the launch with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 22, in the main building on the east side of Olive-Harvey College’s campus. The event will include a haircut demonstration by licensed barber instructors and participation from students, faculty and administrators.
Officials say the program is designed to create a direct pathway from high school into a skilled, in-demand career.
“Offering young people access to careers like barbering helps ensure our students can earn a good wage while following their dreams,” college leaders said in a statement announcing the program.
The curriculum will cover haircutting, shaving, grooming, sanitation, customer service and barbershop management. In addition to technical skills, students will learn the business side of the industry, preparing them to work as licensed barbers or eventually own their own shops.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for barbers and hairstylists is expected to grow about 7 to 10 percent from 2020 to 2030, faster than the average for many occupations.
Through the CPS Early College program, students can graduate from high school with significant college credit — and in some cases an associate degree — reducing the cost of future college education. The initiative is part of the Chicago Roadmap, a citywide effort to connect students, particularly those from underserved communities, to high-demand careers that offer family-sustaining wages.
College officials said programs like barbering not only help close opportunity gaps but also strengthen the local workforce by aligning education with industry needs.
More information about the barbering program is available through the City Colleges of Chicago Office of Admissions at 312-COLLEGE or at www.ccc.edu.
Olive-Harvey College Launches barbering Program for High School Students
