DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) — Class is now in session for barbers at Danville Area Community College. It’s a program that’s been in the works for a long time.

Nine students are enrolled in the class this semester. Wednesday, they had their orientation, and they said they’re ready to fill a need in the community.

“I came home, and I’m not gonna lie to you, I was on my tail, and I needed something to work and it’s like barbering found me,” said student Danielle Butler-Staple. “I didn’t find barbering, it found me.

And Butler-Staple found her home away from home at Danville Area Community College. It’s been a long time coming and now the barber school is officially open.

“Oh, it’s a need,” said Barber Instructor Terry Gouard. “When I went to school, the closest school was Chicago, Peoria. Nothing in Champaign, nothing in Decatur.”

Gouard said now there’s a place for people to get licensed in the trade right in the City of Danville. The barbershop is a place for people to sit back, relax, and walk out with a fresh cut, and these students will be able to offer that experience and become entrepreneurs.

“I want to give back to my trans community and be able to have them feel comfortable in their own selves,” said student Pyro Harris.

Gouard said students will complete 150 hours in the classroom. Then, within a month or two, they’ll open up the barbershop and give out $8 haircuts.

His goal is to teach the class how to cut different hair textures, introducing them to barber shows and bringing in guest speakers.

“So, my thing is, I’m going to try to make it as fun as possible for the students so it’s an easier process,” Gouard said.

And for the students, the main goal is taking care of the customer.

“Being that barber that you can come and talk to about anything but also being professional where I can supply the need,” Butler-Staple said. “Because at the end of the day it’s about the client and just building that connection with them.”

The instructor said the current class capacity is 15 students. They’ll have room for more students in the fall.