What to Ask Barber Training Programs
Following is a list of questions that you should research for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Sun City West AZ residence, together with the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly be your primary qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue 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 must research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have collected several of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber training program you select 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for securing student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in Sun City West AZ for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many 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 Good Reputation? Any barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly regarded. Check rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Sun City West AZ barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. And last, 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 Specialty? Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you decide on a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your goal is to be trained as a barber, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your aspiration is to launch a barber shop in Sun City West AZ, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly rated school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities involves plenty of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber lessons you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a Sun City West AZ barber college offers limited or no scheduled live training, but instead relies predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the best option for cultivating your skills. Therefore search for other schools that provide this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's essential that she or he gets assistance in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer aid maintain relationships with area businesses that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which Sun City West AZ area shops and businesses they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Many barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and identify 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 available to students also. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not omit it as an alternative until you find out what financial aid may be available in Sun City West AZ.