How to Pick the Best Barber Training Program Near Scottsdale Arizona
Since you have decided to attend a barber school near Scottsdale AZ, the task begins to find and enroll in the best school. It's important that the program you pick not only furnishes the proper education for the specialty you have decided on, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you may be rather puzzled 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 type of school. We'll speak a bit more about that in the next segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Scottsdale home. Tuition will also be an important consideration when assessing potential barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it's not automatically the right option. There are a number of other considerations that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are thinking about later in this article. Before we do, let's talk a bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.
Why Become a Barber?
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 Barbering Training Programs
Below is a series of questions that you will want to investigate for any barber college you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Scottsdale AZ residence, together with the cost of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have collected some of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important 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 organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available in Scottsdale AZ for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Each barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating companies for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Scottsdale AZ barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. Finally, check with the Arizona school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Many beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you enroll in a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your ambition is to be trained as a barber, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your desire is to launch a barber shop in Scottsdale AZ, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and refining barbering skills and techniques requires lots of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber classes you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that enable students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a Scottsdale AZ barber school furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but rather relies heavily on using mannequins, it may not be the best option for developing your skills. So try to find other schools that provide this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's crucial that he or she receives help in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance develop relationships with area businesses that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which Scottsdale AZ area shops and establishments they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Many barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students too. If a school meets each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not drop it as an alternative until you find out what financial assistance may be provided in Scottsdale AZ.
How to Choose a Barber School in Scottsdale
Enroll in the Best Scottsdale Barber School
Locating and enrolling in the right barber training program is important to receive the necessary training to become a licensed technician. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel confident about your decision. Don't forget to consolidate all of the responses you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to compare schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the school and program you choose are accredited and have impressive reputations within the profession. If you begin with that base, and address the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are prepared to start your career as a professional barber in Scottsdale Arizona.
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