Shakiah Pirtle is First Student to Sign for Hair Braider Apprenticeship in Tennessee
Shakiah Pirtle, a rising senior at Bolivar Central High School (BCHS), signed on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, becoming the first approved applicant for the WEX Apprenticeship program through the high school and in partnership with Hair Expressions of Bolivar. The collaboration of Hair Expressions and BCHS leads as the first of its kind in the State of Tennessee Apprenticeship program providing people an opportunity to apprentice as hair braiders.
Hair Expressions was approved in January 2023 for the State of Tennessee Apprenticeship program as the first salon to be able to have youth and adults work in that business. Through additional partnerships with Shalondria Shaw, Director Of State of Tennessee Apprenticeship Program and Dante Shaw II, Director of WEX Program/ TN WorkForce Initiatives with the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Shakira will be able to complete the required hours needed to become a certified hair braider and will receive a paycheck for six of the 12 months of the apprenticeship program at Hair Expressions, which is owned by Camille Shavon.
“Shakiah will get her certification hours and other documentation that she needs and will be certified anywhere in the country,” said Shavon who was able to secure resources for Hardeman County through Mr. Shaw’s department. “When our county does not secure the resources, they are allotted to other counties. Now Hardeman County is able to benefit. The WEX program gets her workforce ready. After the six months of earning money through WEX, Shakiah will be licensed and able to complete the remaining six months making her own money.”
Although the WEX Program application process was extensive, that did not deter Melissa Pirtle, Shakiah’s mother, who was determined to secure this opportunity for her daughter.
“She loves to do hair and anything to better my child, I am going to do it,” said Pirtle. “I hope it gives her the skills and knowledge she needs to become an entrepreneur herself.”
Mr. Shaw also shared some of the requirements and perks of the WEX program.
“The student works for six months and completes 975 hours and gets paid through the state. Our program is to help motivate and increase the number of students to get the proper work experience they need through a program that interests them,” said Shaw. “Every summer, they try to provide this opportunity. Shakiah will receive mileage for going back and forth to work, and extra money for being a part of the program.”
Shalondria Shaw serves the 21 counties in West Tennessee and was on hand to recognize Shakiah and honor her opportunity. She also attended the Chemring and TCAT Form Partnership for Apprenticeship Program signing day in March and refers to herself as “your director for all things apprenticeship”. Shaw noted Hair Expressions may currently be the only hair salon in the nation participating in the apprenticeship program.
“I want to help students connect to work, connect to their purpose. Students as young as the age of 14 are able to participate in the apprenticeship program and be able to braid hair in the safety of their homes and make money” said Shaw who then addressed Shakiah. “We want you to be a master entrepreneur and successful at your business. Hair Expressions registered its apprenticeship program, because she wants to help groom the next generation of cosmetologist. After that and you retire, hopefully, you will come and give back to the trade.”
Shakiah’s cosmetology instructor, Shuhan-Plummer Allen, has taught cosmetology at BCHS for six years. She is excited about the apprenticeship program and hopes it will help the existing cosmetology program at the school to receive more recognition.
“The program with Camille will help the program at the school be better recognized as an important program at the school, and maybe more students will want to become involved in the opportunity,” said Allen who graduated from BCHS in 1989 and pursued a cosmetology career after high school. “Some of the benefits of the career is being their own boss and making as much money as they would like. They can show off their skills and showcase their work with their clients. Their work can make other people feel good about themselves.”
BCHS students interested in learning more about the apprenticeship program at the school should contact Tan Minter, BCHS school counselor.
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