How to Choose the Right Barber Classes Near Gilbert Arizona
Now that you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Gilbert AZ, the process begins to find and enroll in the best school. It's imperative that the program you pick not only provides the necessary training for the specialty you have decided on, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your initial search, you may be a little bit unclear about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are basically interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. We'll discuss a little bit more regarding that in the next section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Gilbert residence. Tuition will also be a critical consideration when reviewing potential barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it's not necessarily the ideal option. There are various other factors that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are considering later within this article. Before we do, let's talk a little bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.
Why Choose Barbering?
Barbering, which is as old as America itself, is certainly a career steeped in tradition. Many of today’s barbers use the same equipment or tools, practice the same techniques, and retain the atmosphere of barber shops of long ago. In fact, not much has changed in barbering, as this profession is considered an art form that requires skill, training, a steady hand, and a sharp eye. As a barber, you get to specialize in the cutting, trimming, and styling of hair, mustaches, and beards. Barbers are the specialists in masculine style, providing facial, shaving, and hair-cutting services to men. The barber career choice has also seen a recent resurgence or rise in popularity. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of barbers is projected to grow 13 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations. If you’re passionate about beginning a career in the barber industry and are ready to blaze a path in this booming industry, then entering this particular field does require you to obtain specialized schooling.
What to Ask Barber Colleges
Below is a series of questions that you will want to research for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Gilbert AZ residence, as well as the price of tuition, will most likely be your initial qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have put together several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make certain that the barber college you pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available in Gilbert AZ for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Each barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating companies for reviews as well as the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Gilbert AZ barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. And finally, check with the Arizona school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you decide on a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your goal is to be trained as a barber, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your aspiration is to start a barber shop in Gilbert AZ, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly rated school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Practicing and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities involves lots of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that make it possible for students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a Gilbert AZ barber school provides little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends predominantly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for acquiring your skills. Therefore look for alternate schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's important that she or he receives help in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer assistance maintain relationships with area employers that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and find out which Gilbert AZ area shops and establishments they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Many barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students also. If a school meets all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not discard it as an alternative until you find out what financial assistance may be offered in Gilbert AZ.
How to Become a Barber in Gilbert
Enroll in the Best Gilbert Barber School
Picking and enrolling in the right barber training program is imperative to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel positive about your decision. Don't forget to collect all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that data to compare schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the college and program you choose are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the profession. If you begin with that foundation, and answer the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are qualified to start your new career as a professional barber in Gilbert Arizona.