How to Find the Best Barbering School Near Claremont California
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Claremont CA, the process begins to locate and enroll in the best school. It's important that the school you pick not only furnishes the proper training for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your preliminary search, you might be rather puzzled about the contrast 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 talk a bit more concerning that in the upcoming section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Claremont residence. Tuition will likewise be a critical aspect when reviewing possible barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it's not automatically the best choice. There are various other considerations that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are looking at later within this article. Before we do, let's talk a bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.
Why Choose Barbering?
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 Barber Colleges
Below is a list of questions that you will want to investigate for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Claremont CA residence, in addition to the price of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have put together some of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber training program you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized 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 assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in Claremont CA for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals 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 an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Claremont CA barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to propose others that you had not thought of. And finally, consult the California school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you enroll in a school that focuses on 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 dream is to open a barber shop in Claremont CA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Any Live Training Provided? Practicing and perfecting barbering skills and techniques demands plenty of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber classes you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a Claremont CA barber school furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends heavily on using mannequins, it might not be the best option for acquiring your skills. So try to find alternate schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's crucial that she or he gets support in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer aid develop relationships with area businesses that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which Claremont CA area shops and businesses they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm 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. Ask if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and learn 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 accessible to students also. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not omit it as an alternative before you learn what financial help may be offered in Claremont CA.
How to Choose a Barber College in Claremont
Enroll in the Right Claremont Barber School
Choosing and enrolling in the ideal barber training program is important to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel confident about your decision. Make sure to organize all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to compare schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the school and program you decide on are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the profession. If you start with that base, and address the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are ready to begin your new career as a professional barber in Claremont California.