Questions to Ask Barbering Training Programs
Following is a series of questions that you need to investigate for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Anaheim CA residence, together with the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly be your primary qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have put together some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the barber training program you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered in Anaheim 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, many businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Each barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding 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 referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly demanded. Check rating companies for reviews as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Anaheim CA barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. Finally, check with the California school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Many beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you pick a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your intention 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 launch a barber shop in Anaheim CA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Studying and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities demands lots of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber courses you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a Anaheim CA barber college furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but rather relies mainly on using mannequins, it may not be the most effective alternative for cultivating your skills. So search for alternate schools that provide this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a barber school, it's imperative that she or he gets aid in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer help develop relationships with local employers that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which Anaheim CA 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 considering have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students as well. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not drop it as an option before you determine what financial aid may be available in Anaheim CA.