Where Have All the Groomers Gone

by Angela Clark, American Grooming Academy

Grooming salon owners have been asking this question for years, and the answer is, they’re grooming. Now more than ever finding well-trained professional groomers to accommodate a growing grooming business is a daunting task. Covid’s impact has generated an increased interest in grooming as a career. However, given the trend of adding a puppy to the family mix during shutdowns, the demand for grooming appointments serviced by quality groomers is higher than ever.

In speaking with American Grooming Academy graduates as their businesses and jobs have evolved through phases of the Covid 19 epidemic, most have continued to offer grooming throughout the pandemic. They use creative ways to comply with non-contact grooming recommendations.

As a state-approved school, hands-on training was halted at American Grooming Academy following the same schedule as school closures from March through April. During this time, distance learning through weekly Zoom calls, and theory lectures were initiated, to keep students actively learning until hands-on classes could resume.

Many students pets were groomed at home during this time when the “learn to groom” jones kicked in. Tales from dog grooming students described how their pets learned to hide at the sound of the student equipment bag opening. The students’ beloved pets were very well-groomed thanks to Covid 19.

Once restrictions were lifted, our school was reopened. Precautionary practices were put into place as students resumed hands-on training, During this time new student applications, created a list of candidates, waiting for an open spot to begin training.

New applicants were a mix of young first-time career seekers and 2nd career, older applicants looking for a career that offered them control over their schedule, workload and the job overall.

The stay-at-home order gave laid-off, unessential workers, time to reflect on what their future might look like.

Ultimately dog grooming is something many of these applicants said they always wanted to learn but held off due to the security of their initial career choice. The pandemic led many to see opportunities to begin new careers and futures.

The Pet Services Industry reports and predicts consistent growth trends revealing a stable industry with high demand and thriving regardless of economic hardships, such as Covid and its aftermath. Pet grooming is a great venThat being said, the fly in the ointment has been and still is hiring skilled groomers to meet the ever-growing demand of dogs needing to be groomed. As quickly as they are trained, professional groomers are hired or become self-employed.

Calls to American Grooming Academy from salons desperately in need of good groomers are on the rise as society begins to regain some normalcy. Those recently acquired “Covid puppies” are now in need of grooming, including those

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whose grooms need some “fixing” from home grooming attempts.

Even with the increasing student count there remains huge professional groomer staffing gaps. The grooming staffing dilemma has many employers scrambling for solutions. Stories of salons being booked a month and longer in advance are devastating to the growthoriented salon owners. They realize impatient pet owners may go elsewhere.

In response, American Grooming Academy has designed programs for salon owners with an interest in partnering to train a candidate specifically for them.

These opportunities range from a company sending their candidate(s) to our Academy for training, and even providing online distance learning and monitoring for those interested in providing the hands-on training at their own facility.

In the interest of quality training there are program standards that must be met. Within the American Grooming Academies program requirements, training can be designed to fit individual business needs.

For any salon fortunate enough to have a job opportunity matching a new graduate’s needs, consider these tips for on boarding. We can ensure a successful transition from school to working in the salon environment.

If a new grooming graduate has attended a state-licensed school, the program has been monitored and reviewed by the state, and placement data, as well as program requirements, are available to the public. The school can be contacted for references on graduates for which you may be interested in hiring.

Not all programs are alike. Check out school curriculums to find confidence in what students have learned and even become aware of learning areas you feel they could learn more.

Most schools offer programs that range from 300 to 500 hours of training. Graduates can complete their breed testing with a high level of skill. Generally, they

will be able to complete three dogs a day when they graduate. Within 6 months of program completion, most graduates are comfortably grooming 6 dogs a day. Take time to mentor your new graduates such as how to juggle multiple dogs. Increase work schedules gradually to boost their confidence without overwhelming them.

Orient new groomers to the policies and procedures that govern your facility. Don’t hesitate to check their finished dogs during a probationary period. This helps new groomers with continued learning and awareness of your standards and practices. Be honest and constructive with your critiques. Show them how to correct faults, and praise them for grooming assignments well done.

Consider yourself a mentor to your new groomer. Knowing you understand and support their continued learning to develop skill and speed is a huge relief to them. As a mentor, your relationship will reap the rewards of employee loyalty, and appreciation, into the future.

The good news is that Covid 19 has had a positive effect on the grooming industry, piquing interest in grooming as a career. Student enrollment has increased 30% over the last year. Pet Grooming demand has increased as has the number of households requiring grooming services. At American Grooming Academy we develop training programs not only for the benefit of individual career seekers but also programs benefiting salons struggling with staffing. Our creative training options may be your solution to staffing challenges. ◄