How to Enroll In the Best Barber School Near Gilroy California
Now that you have decided to enroll in a barber school near Gilroy CA, the process begins to search for and enroll in the ideal school. It's essential that the program you pick not only furnishes the proper education for the specialty you have decided on, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you may be somewhat puzzled about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are basically interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. We'll talk a little bit more about that in the next section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Gilroy home. Tuition will likewise be a critical aspect when assessing possible barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it's not necessarily the best choice. There are a number of other considerations that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are considering 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 can be considered a subspecialty in the larger field of cosmetology. While cosmetologists train to work in hair, nails, skin, makeup, and overall beauty enhancement, barbers focus on cutting hair, almost exclusively men’s hair, and giving shaves and trimming facial hair. They might learn specialized techniques such as coloring and permanent waving like cosmetologists do, but it’s not essential. Barbers and cosmetologists also earn different licenses that specify which services they can legally perform. The first step to becoming a barber is to complete a barbering program. You might choose to enroll in a dedicated barber school or sign up for a barbering program in a cosmetology school that offers barbering as a specialty. Because states have different requirements for training and licensure, it is important to start by checking with your state cosmetology board.
Questions to Ask Barbering Colleges
Below is a series of questions that you need to research for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Gilroy CA home, as well as the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly be your initial qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have collected several of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber college you enroll in 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 meet their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not obtainable in Gilroy CA for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Every barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating companies for reviews together with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Gilroy CA barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. And finally, check with the California school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive 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 typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you decide on a school that focuses on 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 vision is to launch a barber shop in Gilroy CA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Studying and perfecting barbering skills and techniques demands lots of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that make it possible for students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a Gilroy CA barber college provides little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends mainly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for acquiring your skills. So try to find other schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a barber school, it's essential that he or she receives aid in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer help maintain relationships with area employers that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which Gilroy CA area shops and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? The majority of barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students too. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not discard it as an alternative until you determine what financial aid may be available in Gilroy CA.
How to Train to Be a Barber in Gilroy
Enroll in the Right Gilroy Barber School
Finding and enrolling in the ideal barber college is imperative to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed professional. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel certain about your decision. Make sure to collect all of the responses you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to contrast schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the institution and program you pick are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, and address the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are prepared to launch your new career as a professional barber in Gilroy California.