How to Enroll In the Best Barber Training Program Near Irvine California
Since you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Irvine CA, the task starts to search for and enroll in the ideal school. It's essential that the program you pick not only provides the proper training for the specialty you have decided on, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your preliminary search, you might be rather confused 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 refer to the same type of school. We'll speak a bit more concerning that in the upcoming section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Irvine residence. Tuition will likewise be an important consideration when assessing potential barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it's not automatically the ideal 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 regarding 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 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.
Questions to Ask Barbering Colleges
Following is a series of questions that you need to research for any barber college you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Irvine CA home, together with the cost of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like 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 consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Following we have collected some of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the barber school you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available in Irvine CA for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Any barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Irvine CA barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to propose others that you had not considered. And finally, consult the California school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often 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 intention 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 open a barber shop in Irvine 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 poor program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Any Live Training Provided? Studying 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 campus that enable students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a Irvine CA barber school offers limited or no scheduled live training, but instead relies mainly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for developing your skills. So try to find alternate schools that furnish this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's imperative that he or she gets help in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish help develop relationships with local businesses that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which Irvine CA area shops and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Most barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students too. If a school meets each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not drop it as an option before you find out what financial assistance may be provided in Irvine CA.
How to Become a Barber in Irvine
Enroll in the Best Irvine Barber School
Finding and enrolling in the ideal barber college is important to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed practitioner. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel certain about your decision. Be sure to collect all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that data to contrast schools. A good start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the college and program you decide on are accredited and have impressive reputations within the profession. If you begin with that base, and answer the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are ready to launch your career as a professional barber in Irvine California.