How to Enroll In the Right Barber School Near Calabasas California
Once you have decided to attend a barber school near Calabasas CA, the task begins to locate and enroll in the ideal school. It's imperative that the school you choose not only furnishes the necessary training for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you might be a little bit puzzled about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are pretty much interchangeable and both pertain to the same kind of school. We'll discuss a little bit more about that in the next section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Calabasas home. Tuition will also be an important factor when assessing prospective barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it's not necessarily the best choice. There are a number of other qualifications 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 thinking about later in this article. Before we do, let's discuss a bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.
Why Become a Barber?
Barbering is an art form, according to many, so it’s no surprise that individuals interested in becoming a barber must become authorities before they can command a barber’s chair. And one of the best and most effective ways to do so is through a comprehensive educational program. Since the early 1880s, barbering has been a tradition among men. Visiting the barber shop was often a weekly occasion, where a shave and a cut, and a little socialization among friends, were as popular as a trip to the local saloon. The barber experience still lives on, and many say it is even making a comeback as men realize the value of a great cut and a close shave. Today’s barbers must be able to deliver the highest quality services to their clients, services that cannot be found at a local mall hair salon or a unisex discount salon. Therefore, a solid education, complete with plenty of hands-on training, is a must. It is also a must for licensure, a requirement in every state. Although some states do recognize an apprenticeship as a route to licensure, all states recognize an accredited program.
What to Ask Barber Schools
Below is a list 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 Calabasas CA home, as well as the price of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have put together several of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential 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 comply with their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in Calabasas CA for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Any barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating services for reviews along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Calabasas CA barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. And finally, contact the California school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you enroll in a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your objective 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 start a barber shop in Calabasas CA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly ranked school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and refining barbering techniques and abilities demands lots of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber lessons you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that enable students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a Calabasas CA barber college furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but rather relies predominantly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the most effective alternative for developing your skills. So try to find other schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from a barber school, it's crucial that he or she receives assistance in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer assistance maintain relationships with area businesses that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which Calabasas CA area shops and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Most barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students also. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not eliminate it as an alternative until you determine what financial aid may be available in Calabasas CA.
How to Choose a Barber College in Calabasas
Choose in the Best Calabasas Barber College
Finding and enrolling in the ideal barber training program is imperative to get the appropriate training to become a licensed specialist. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel certain about your decision. Be sure to collect all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that data to contrast schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the school and program you choose are accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. If you start with that base, and address the additional questions provided in this article, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to launch your new career as a professional barber in Calabasas California.
Calabasas Barbering Training | Calabasas College Of Barbering