Issue link: https://www.ahpindiestylist.com/i/1547346
10 AHP Indie Stylist Volume 7 Issue 2 AHP ADVOCACY If you have questions for the AHP Government Relations team, email gr@associatedhairprofessionals.com. IN OPPOSITION TO REDUCTION On the other side of the issue are those who believe cosmetologists graduating from even the lengthiest programs enter the workforce unprepared. e position is that any reduction in education hours poses a risk to the health, safety, and welfare of the public. ere's also concern that reducing education would cause a similar reduction in professional standards and respect for the profession. Beyond these larger concerns lie the logistical issues that would emerge from a campaign to reduce education hours: Schools would be pressed to restructure curricula, change courses, and shuffl e students and instructors. ere's also the potential threat to fi nancial aid from federal/ state grants for some students, which is already a fraught topic. WHAT NOW? So, how much schooling is enough? Where do we draw the line at it becoming too much or too little? ese questions lead to others: Should license tiers be more common? Should states adopt a mini-license model? Should continuing education be the norm? We don't have magical answers. But we do feel the solution lies somewhere in the middle—a common ground where we can ensure cosmetologists are thoroughly trained to serve and protect their clients without putting students through an arduous program and years of student debt. Perhaps a reduction in hours for some of the higher-requirement states, with an inclusion of continuing education requirements. Or maybe increasing hours in some of the lower-requirement states and adding sanitation courses every couple of years. e solution is out there; we just need to work together as a profession to fi nd it. Associated Hair Professionals (AHP) would love to know what you think. As the people with the most knowledge on the subject, what's your solution? Or do you think there is no problem in need of solving? We'd love to hear from you. UNSPLASH A lower barrier to entry means it's less time-consuming and less expensive to enter the profession.