How to Pick the Best Barbering School Near Lompoc California
Now that you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Lompoc CA, the process starts to find and enroll in the best school. It's important that the school you pick not only furnishes the appropriate training for the specialty you have selected, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your preliminary search, you might be rather puzzled about the difference 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 discuss a bit more regarding that in the following section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Lompoc residence. Tuition will likewise be an important factor when assessing possible barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it's not automatically the ideal choice. There are a number of other factors that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are thinking about later in this article. Before we do, let's talk 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 Barbering Training Programs
Following is a series of questions that you will want to look into for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Lompoc CA home, in addition to the expense of tuition, will undoubtedly be your initial qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Following we have collected several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber college 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not obtainable in Lompoc CA for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Every barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly demanded. Check rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Lompoc CA barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to propose others that you had not considered. And last, contact the California school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you choose a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your ambition 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 Lompoc CA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly regarded school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.
Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Learning and mastering barbering skills and techniques involves plenty of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that enable students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a Lompoc CA barber college provides little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends mainly on using mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for cultivating your skills. Therefore try to find alternate schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a barber school, it's imperative that he or she receives aid in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance maintain relationships with local employers that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which Lompoc CA area shops and organizations they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Many barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and learn 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 also. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not omit it as an option before you learn what financial assistance may be available in Lompoc CA.
How to Choose a Barber College in Lompoc
Choose in the Best Lompoc Barber School
Picking and enrolling in the ideal barber training program is imperative to obtain the appropriate training to become a licensed technician. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel positive about your decision. Make sure to collect all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that information to compare schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the school and program you pick are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you start 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 ideal choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are ready to launch your new career as a professional barber in Lompoc California.