In Santa Rosa County, high schoolers have the wonderful opportunity to earn a skilled trade, many job certifications and even college credits through partnerships with schools such as Pensacola State College and Locklin Tech.

In Santa Rosa County, most of the more "profitable" trades offered are in traditionally male dominated professions such as welding, electrical and mechanics. The trades offered in traditionally "female dominated" careers include clerical and lower level health care skills with lower paygrades as well.

One of the trades with the most gainful entry level opportunities is Cosmetology. Cosmetology, is NOT offered through this partnership. Cosmetology, on the entry level, is represented more by women. However, more men are being drawn to this career path due to it's long term stability and flexibility.

It is proposed in this petition that the offering of Cosmetology through the Vocational and Dual Enrollment Agreements in Santa Rosa County will be a step in opening up more well paid, gender neutral opportunities for women, as well as for young men.

By signing this petition, I am stating that I am in support of including Cosmetology as an offering to Vocational and Dually Enrolled students in Santa Rosa County, Florida.