How to Choose the Best Barber Academy Near Lafayette California
Once you have decided to enroll in a barber school near Lafayette CA, the task begins to search for and enroll in the ideal school. It's essential that the program you select not only provides the appropriate instruction for the specialty you have selected, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial 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 basically interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. We'll discuss a bit more regarding that in the following section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Lafayette home. Tuition will likewise be a critical factor when assessing possible barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it's not automatically the right choice. There are many other factors that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are looking at 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 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 Barbering Colleges
Below is a series of questions that you need to research for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Lafayette CA home, as well as the price of tuition, will probably be your primary 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 choices based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber training program. Following we have put together some of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's necessary to make certain that the barber training program you select is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for getting student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available in Lafayette CA for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Each barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly regarded. Check rating companies for reviews as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Lafayette CA barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. And last, contact the California school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in total 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 typically expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you select a school that specializes in 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 respected for that program. If your aspiration is to start a barber shop in Lafayette CA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly rated school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Any Live Training Provided? Practicing and mastering barbering skills and techniques requires plenty 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 make it possible for students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a Lafayette CA barber college furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends heavily on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for developing your skills. Therefore try to find alternate schools that provide this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a barber college, it's important that he or she receives support in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer help maintain relationships with area businesses that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which Lafayette CA area shops and businesses they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Almost all barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students as well. If a school meets each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not discard it as an option until you find out what financial assistance may be offered in Lafayette CA.
How to Choose a Barber College in Lafayette
Choose in the Best Lafayette Barber School
Selecting and enrolling in the ideal barber school is imperative to get the proper training to become a licensed practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel confident about your decision. Be sure to consolidate all of the information you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on 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 certain that the institution and program you decide on are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you start with that foundation, 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. 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 Lafayette California.