Questions to Ask Barber Training Programs
Following is a series of questions that you will want to look into for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Agoura CA residence, in addition to the expense of tuition, will undoubtedly be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have compiled some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential to make certain that the barber school you pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged 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 ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable in Agoura CA for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Every barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating services for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Agoura CA barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. Finally, consult the California school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you choose a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your objective is to be trained as a barber, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your desire is to start a barber shop in Agoura CA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly ranked school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Studying and refining barbering skills and techniques requires lots of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber lessons you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a Agoura CA barber college furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but rather depends heavily on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for cultivating your skills. Therefore try to find other schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a barber school, it's important that she or he receives support in securing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish aid maintain relationships with area employers that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which Agoura CA area shops and businesses they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Almost all barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students too. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not eliminate it as an alternative before you find out what financial help may be provided in Agoura CA.