June 4, 2013
State Representative Susan Johnson marked passage of a bill she introduced creating a new Barbershop Apprenticeship Program. The bill, HB 6485 passed the House of Representatives by an overwhelming majority and was unanimously adopted in the Senate.
“The barbershop is the quintessential storefront business on every main street in America,” said State Rep. Susan Johnson, House Chair of the Public Health Committee. “We want to keep all the working barbers and shops open. An apprenticeship program will ensure we have fully trained and licensed professionals servicing the public, just as hairdressers and beauticians are.”
The new law directs the Connecticut State Apprenticeship Council to study the feasibility of creating a barbershop apprenticeship program and issue a report recommending the educational and professional program requirements and how much time is needed to get the program up and running.
“Barbershops generally offer simpler, less expensive haircuts than beauty salons or spas,” said Susan Johnson. “Because of the cost savings, more women and families on a budget are becoming loyal customers and that is good for their businesses.”
“This is a program aimed directly at job growth. One that will also help cash strapped students work under the supervision of a licensed professional barber and move up the economic ladder while obtaining an education,” said Rep. Johnson. “In addition, the state will also benefit from the additional revenue collected by more individuals paying for their barbers apprentice permit and consequently their Master Barber’s permit – revenues that are currently not coming into our state coffers.”
Susan Johnson is serving her third term representing Connecticut’s 49th General Assembly District in Windham. She is the House Chair of the state legislature’s Public Health Committee and a member of the Education and Insurance & Real Estate Committees.