A cut above the rest 

April 4, 2020 | COLLEGE NEWS

Instructor Charles Harris (far right) started cutting hair at the age of 14 and currently owns two barbershops.

Charles Harris, the barbering instructor on the Clearwater campus of Pinellas Technical College (PTC-CLW) started cutting hair at the age of 14. He grew his hustle into a business that has lasted for some 40 years.

 “People in the neighborhood got to know that I had that skill, and they kept asking me to cut their hair,” said Harris, who enjoyed going house to house, honing his skills and providing a service to his friends and family. “It grew on me.”

Harris went on to get his professional license and has also worked as an instructor at another school. PTC’s barbering course is relatively new, only two and a half years since the doors opened. But in that short time, Harris, the college’s sole barbering instructor, has witnessed its growth.

“We started out with only one student,” he said. “I went out to all the barbershops in the area and encouraged them to send their potential barbers to PTC so that we can grow our program.” 

He also knew that with his teaching, he could put more qualified barbers in the workforce, something as a business owner he feels passionate about. Harris runs two barbershops, one in Clearwater and one in Tarpon Springs. 

He takes on students that show potential in his own establishments once they receive their license and help them worked toward becoming the best in their field. 

Students in the program learn how to cut all types of hairstyles and textures, with shears, clippers, and razors. They also learn how to cut all lengths of hair, so no client is left unsatisfied. 

“You notice the short hairstyles are a big fad right now, so everybody across the universe is wearing the faded haircuts, the blowouts, the mohawks,” he said. 

Harris feels this brings all cultures in for a cut and allows all ethnicities to learn fading techniques. 

“Now you have all races of people doing the same kind of haircut, and they are doing a really good job with technique.”

With Harris at the helm of the program, job placement is high. Not only does he employ students, he consults with local barbers regularly to see what’s available for his charges.

PTC also conducts barbershop days where students attend area businesses and evaluate what they observe. They are instructed to jot down information about the clientele, whether they use clippers or shears with the majority of their work, even if there is adequate parking. 

“We want students to be aware of what the job market really looks like,” said Harris. “It also gives them the opportunity to network with that salon’s owner or manager to see if there is an opportunity for them.”  

If you are an instructor and would like your program featured, please call Lyn Johnson in the Office of Workforce Innovation at 727-893-2500 ext. 2655.