How to Enroll In the Right Barbering College Near Gilroy California
Once you have decided to attend a barber school near Gilroy CA, the task starts to search for and enroll in the ideal school. It's imperative that the school you pick not only furnishes the appropriate training for the specialty you have chosen, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you may be rather unclear 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 refer to the same type of school. We'll talk a little bit more regarding that in the upcoming segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Gilroy home. Tuition will additionally be an important factor when evaluating possible barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it's not automatically the ideal option. There are several other considerations that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are considering later within this article. Before we do, let's discuss a little bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.
Why Become a Barber?
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 series of questions that you should look into for any barber school you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Gilroy CA residence, together with the expense of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue 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 even more factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Following we have collected several of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber training program you pick 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered 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, many employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Any barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have placed 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 organizations. If you have any connections with Gilroy CA barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to propose others that you had not looked into. Finally, check with the California school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Many beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important 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 well regarded for that program. If your desire is to open a barber shop in Gilroy CA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly ranked school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.
Is Any Live Training Provided? Practicing and mastering barbering skills and techniques demands lots of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a Gilroy CA barber college provides limited or no scheduled live training, but rather relies heavily on using mannequins, it may not be the best option for developing your skills. Therefore look for other schools that provide this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's important that she or he receives support in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer help develop relationships with local businesses that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which Gilroy CA area shops and businesses they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Almost all barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and find out 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 meets each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not eliminate it as an alternative until you find out what financial help may be offered in Gilroy CA.
How to Train in Barbering in Gilroy
Enroll in the Right Gilroy Barber College
Finding and enrolling in the right barber school is important to receive the proper training to become a licensed specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel positive about your decision. Don't forget to compile all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to contrast schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the institution and program you choose are accredited and have impressive reputations within the profession. If you start with that foundation, and address the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are qualified to begin your career as a professional barber in Gilroy California.