FSCJ Opens New Barbering Lab at Kent Campus

On June 23, Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ) hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony to unveil the new Barbering Lab at Kent Campus, expanding the program to serve even more students. Within this new space, students will have opportunities for personal and professional growth as they prepare for the required state licensing exam. 

Currently housed in a dedicated lab at FSCJ's North Campus, the barbering program was awarded a $40,000 grant to support the project expansion during the 2024 National Association of Community College Entrepreneurs Pitch for the Skilled Trades competition.

“This initiative reflects our ongoing commitment to meeting the evolving needs of our community,” said College President John Avendano, Ph.D. “This grant allows us to expand one of our programs that is in high demand, and students will not only gain valuable skills to serve clients, but also the foundation needed to pursue business ownership.”  

This new dedicated space allows the College to provide additional students a dedicated learning environment while keeping costs significantly lower than traditional programs. Students will have access to the latest technology, resources and experiential, hands-on learning to develop the necessary skills and successfully enter the workforce. 

FSCJ’s Barbering Career Certificate (C.C.) program is designed to qualify students for employment upon successfully passing the Florida Barber License Examination. Students are paired with instructors who believe in a team approach that is flexible and understanding of individual needs which enable each student to reach their full potential and the achievement of success. Learn more about the program at https://www.fscj.edu/program?pcode=5622.  

View more photos from the event at https://flickr.com/photos/floridastatecollege/albums/72177720334350717.