Cookeville Salon Starts First State Cosmetology Apprenticeship Program

The state’s first apprenticeship program for cosmetology has started in Cookeville.

Loxx Salon has partnered with the State Department of Labor and Workforce to create the curriculum. Owner Mike Franklin said the program will give newly licensed cosmetologist hands on experience to thrive in the workforce.

“They have it for many different things for wielding, appraisals and things of that nature, but never really developed anything for cosmetology,” Franklin said.

Franklin also serves on the Upper Cumberland Workforce and Labor Development Committee. Franklin said the idea came from a meeting, so he sought assistance from Regional Workforce Director Becky Hull.

“Together, we just went through the paperwork, and they told me what we needed to do in order to get this up and going,” Franklin said. “One of the big things was to create this curriculum.”

Franklin said after about three months, the curriculum was ready. It focuses on sanitation, customer interviewing and of course hair cuts and color.

“This has already started,” Franklin said. “One person is through the learning portion of the program is already on the floor working. She’s in phase two of the apprenticeship program.”

Franklin said the salon has operated a program similar to this for years, but it never had the state backing. The state partnership opens the door for funding.

“I want them to be able to go anywhere that they want to go and be successful,” Franklin said. “Whether it is with us and we sincerely hope they stay with us, we put a lot of time and effort in this and we become a family as it goes on, but if they decide to go start their own salon, rent a chair somewhere or go to a salon suite, we want them to be successful in whatever arena they go into.”