Key Takeaways: 

• Programs like the Great Clipper Event give cosmetology and barber students advanced clipper training, helping them feel more prepared behind the chair. 

• Representatives from locally owned Great Clips salons often meet students before they graduate and hire directly from these interactions, with some students eventually growing into leadership roles. 

• At Great Clips salons, stylists can focus on their craft from day one, with a steady flow of customers and no need to market themselves or build a book. 

There’s nothing like the feeling of showing up at the salon for your first day as a licensed cosmetologist or hairdresser. It’s new! It’s exciting!  

It’s terrifying! 

Every stylist has been there. That’s why Great Clips® salons give students extra support before they graduate by providing educational opportunities in cosmetology and barbering schools across the U.S. and Canada. One of the programs offered by locally owned and operated Great Clips salons is the Great Clipper Event. It delivers hands-on clipper education that goes deeper than what’s usually offered in beauty school programs. Students learn things like how to properly hold a clipper, why technique matters, how to execute both an ascending and descending fade, foil shaver tips, and even clipper maintenance. 

Advanced clipper education 

Gina is a general manager overseeing five Great Clips salons in Southern California, and the director of beauty schools for a franchisee who owns and operates 28 salons in California, Oregon, and Washington. She has vast experience with Great Clipper Events and is a big fan.  

"When I became aware of the Great Clipper Event training, I was in awe of how detailed and thorough it was," Gina says. " I wish someone had shared this type of training with me when I was in cosmetology school." 

Some beauty school programs do cover an intro to clipper cutting, but Gina points out that students often leave without a thorough understanding of the tool, including how stylists can get the most out of it. The Great Clipper Event curriculum fills that gap with a level of detail that schools — and students — genuinely appreciate. 

Quick entry, big sweepstakes 

Every Great Clipper Event includes a sweepstakes for a prize drawing. During the event, students sign up by scanning a QR code for a chance to win prizes individually or, in some instances like the Great Clipper Event that Gina recently delivered, for every student who signed up from the class! In March, Gina visited LA Technical College’s cosmetology program to announce that they won the sweepstakes. Every eligible student in the winning class walked away with a brand-new set of Wahl clippers, a Great Clips tote bag, a blending comb, and a cutting comb. 

"The students were so happy," Gina smiled. "A clipper is not an inexpensive tool! They won just for attending the Great Clipper Event and scanning a QR code. I've been doing this for 32 years, and I still love sharing the excitement with students.” 

The real win is after class 

Not only does the clipper training benefit students in class, it pays after school via advanced skills and the potential to be recruited.  

"I watch for students who show up ready to learn,” Gina says. “I’ve had some great new hires, straight from school.” 

In fact, from one school presentation, Gina once hired five newly licensed graduates. Within a year, one had become an assistant manager and another a salon manager. 

"We invest in recent graduates," Gina says. "We want to train them, hire them, and set them up to succeed." 

Gina says every new hire in her franchisee’s organization receives training centered on delivering a great customer experience, the Great Clips clipper and cutting system, the foundational haircuts, and advanced techniques and trend cuts. “Our onboarding and training process is very thorough,” Gina says. 

Gina’s career advice  

As an industry veteran, Gina has one consistent message for students: 

"When you are in school, don't waste time. Ask all the questions. Tell friends and family to come to the school salon so you can practice. It's easier to work through your nerves by getting real practice with real people in school." 

And when it comes to starting your career, the math is straightforward. At a place like Great Clips, you don't need to worry about building a client base from scratch, spending money on marketing, or covering rent on a booth. You show up, follow the brand, and start earning right away. 

Are you ready to launch (or re-launch) your career?  

Find a great salon role near you! Use the search tool to check out current openings. 

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All Great Clips® salons are independently owned and operated by third party franchisees. Franchisees, not Great Clips, Inc., are responsible for all hiring and personnel matters at their individual salons.