Key Takeaways: 

• SkillsUSA competitions give future hair stylists the chance to show off their creativity, professionalism, and technical skills while gaining real-world experience before graduation.  

• Many Great Clips salon leaders volunteer as SkillsUSA judges to encourage students and help them prepare for successful careers behind the chair.  

• Great Clips salons help new stylists focus on doing what they love by providing customers, backbar supplies, training, and support from day one. 

 

Every year, some of the most promising young stylists in the country step into the SkillsUSA competition arena, scissors in hand, nerves in check, ready to prove what they can do. And every year, local Great Clips salon leaders are right there with them. Not just watching but investing. 

SkillsUSA is a national competition for high school students pursuing careers in the trades, like cosmetology. Students compete for scholarships, sponsorships, and the chance to represent their state at nationals. The stakes are real, and so is the talent. 

In Arizona, local Great Clips franchise organizations have been a fixture of the competition for nearly two decades. Liz, a general manager for a Great Clips franchisee who owns and operates 32 salons, has been on the judging panel for close to 20 years. “Area Great Clips general managers come together to support the students competing for a place in nationals,” she explains.  

And this year brought a meaningful first: two recent Great Clips graduate-stylists joined the judging panel alongside the managers. “We wanted to bring young faces,” says Liz, “because these are high school students competing. We wanted them to see they can succeed in this career.” 

Understanding the assignment  

Students are judged on three haircuts: a women’s cut, a razor cut, and a men’s cut. There is also a style assessment and a formal interview. Judges look for technique fundamentals such as clean partings, proper guide creation, balance, evenness, and sanitation practices. But the communication round carries serious weight, too. 

“We ask each student three questions,” explains Liz. “How would you conduct a consultation with me as your client? What products would you recommend? And what makes you a hirable candidate?” Judges evaluate eye contact, body language, and the student’s ability to think on their feet. It’s not unlike a real job interview, which is exactly the point. 

Judges rotate through groups of four, overseeing different tables throughout each portion of the competition to ensure fair, consistent scoring. 

The talent is real 

Ask any Great Clips judge what their favorite part of the competition is, and they’ll tell you it’s the styling. “I love seeing the incredible updos. They are mind-blowing,” says Christina, a Great Clips general manager who has judged the competition for three years. “The students are so creative!” 

Liz echoes the sentiment. “We focus so much on the cutting, so it’s nice to see the student’s creativity shine!” For both, watching students perform is a reminder of why they love this industry, and why investing in the next generation matters. 

Bridging the competition to a career 

The impact of SkillsUSA doesn’t end when the scores are tallied. At the conclusion of the competition, judges collect student resumes, opening doors to future employment opportunities. 

“We have a lot of students who come to us afterward and say, ‘Hey, you were my judge at SkillsUSA!’” says Liz. “They remember us. We are always in their mind as a potential employer, and they are comfortable with us.” 

That comfort and familiarity is built intentionally. Local Great Clips organizations do regular school visits to cosmetology programs throughout Arizona, building relationships with students and educators long before graduation day. SkillsUSA is just one touchpoint in an ongoing commitment to education and development. 

In fact, Christina started with Great Clips right out of school. “I tell students about my journey to become a general manager. We’re a place to build a long-term career; a great place to start and a great place to stay.” 

Beyond training, there’s support to help remove the friction that often burdens new stylists. Great Clips salons provide the customers, supply the backbar, and offer flexible scheduling to fit different lifestyles. You simply bring your talent, your license, your tools, and your smile. 

Are you ready to explore your career options? 

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