Kristin Hofschneider, right, discusses make-up with a client during a live demonstration at Crowne Plaza for the launch of NMTech’s cosmetology program.
Moriah Sablan, left, will teach nail care at NMTech starting on Aug. 4.
Kurt Ellis, who manages Salt and Barber, will teach hair care at NMTech.
THE Northern Marianas Technical Institute launched its cosmetology program on Monday at the Crowne Plaza.
Island residents can now attend a basic cosmetology course in hair, skin and makeup, and nails. The course registration deadline is July 31. Classes begin Aug. 4.
The program has eight modules spread over 24 weeks. The courses include introduction to cosmetology; hair care and styling; color theory and formulation; nail care; braiding, wig and hair additions/extensions; business skills; skin care; and a final review and exams.
According to NMTech, classes are held on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at its campus in Lower Base; and from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Salt & Barber salon in Garapan.
Fees total $4,100, which covers tuition, lab fees, textbooks, beauty tool kit, scrubs, and more.
Saipan Higher Education Financial Assistance and CNMI scholarships are accepted at NMTech.
Ben Babauta, NMTech marketing and outreach coordinator, said students will get a certificate of completion after they finish the course. He added that the launch party at Crown Plaza was organized to bring stakeholders together.
“We wanted to host a cosmetology launch party to invite the local beauty community to come and meet their instructors, see our curriculum, and potentially hire our interns when they’re done,” Babauta said.
According to Jodina Attao, NMTech CEO, cosmetology is among the top five trades most in need of local employees in the CNMI.
“This is our way of trying to increase awareness in the community that NMTech is here for all the trades programs and we’re happy to serve you,” Attao said. “There’s a trade for everyone.”
Kurt Ellis, manager of Salt & Barber, will instruct cosmetology students in hair care.
Ellis said the course is accessible to people who have never practiced cosmetology before.
“[The course] is completely meant to take someone who doesn’t know anything about cosmetology and elevate them to the level of a cosmetologist,” Ellis said. “[Students] will get a basic overall training and understanding of cosmetology so that they can go ahead and start working.”
Ellis, who has been a licensed cosmetologist for seven years now, said he and NMTech are also working to develop an additional course for more advanced skills.
He said ideally, by the time the advanced course is ready, students from the basic course will have had real-life experience with customers.
Moriah Sablan will instruct cosmetology students in nail care. She earned her cosmetology license 10 years ago, and has practiced nail care in Washington state. When she came to Saipan three years ago, she knew she wanted to teach at NMTech.
“If you have any sort of passion in the beauty industry I’d say go for it, especially being that it’s just starting. It’s a great opportunity to get into it,” Sablan said. “Having [a cosmetology course] here is a great opportunity for the island, [and] for anybody in the community, because you can jump on it and get into the field at an easier rate.”
Like Sablan, Kristin Hofschneider, a skin and aesthetics instructor, encourages people to enroll in the courses offered at NMTech.
Hofschneider is a certified cosmetologist from Portland, Oregon and has experience in bridal make-up.
“I think if you have the passion for it you should do it,” Hofschneider said. “With cosmetology you start off with the basics, so it’s good if you don’t know anything. But if you do know it’s a good way to find your ground. It’s really fun.”
