How to Choose the Best Barber Training Program Near Los Angeles California
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Los Angeles CA, the process begins to locate and enroll in the right school. It's essential that the program you pick not only furnishes the appropriate instruction for the specialty you have chosen, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you might be a little bit puzzled about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are essentially interchangeable and both refer to the same type of school. We'll discuss a little bit more regarding that in the following section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Los Angeles residence. Tuition will additionally be an important factor when assessing possible barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it's not always the best choice. There are several other considerations that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are looking at 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 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.
What to Ask Barbering Schools
Below is a series of questions that you should investigate for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Los Angeles CA residence, in addition to the price of tuition, will undoubtedly be your primary qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue 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 preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have compiled several of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber school you pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized 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 can also be necessary for getting student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available in Los Angeles CA for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Any barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly demanded. Check rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Los Angeles CA barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. And finally, consult the California school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all facets 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 essential that you decide on 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 desire is to open a barber shop in Los Angeles CA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly regarded school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities demands lots of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a Los Angeles CA barber college furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but instead relies heavily on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for developing your skills. Therefore look for alternate schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's important that she or he gets aid in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide assistance maintain relationships with area employers that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which Los Angeles CA area shops and organizations they refer students to. Also, 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? Many barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students also. If a school meets all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not drop it as an option before you determine what financial help may be offered in Los Angeles CA.
How to Train in Barbering in Los Angeles
Enroll in the Right Los Angeles Barber College
Picking and enrolling in the right barber college is important to get the necessary training to become a licensed professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel certain about your decision. Make certain to consolidate 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 compare schools. A sensible start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the institution and program you choose are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. If you start with that foundation, and address the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the ideal choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are qualified to begin your career as a professional barber in Los Angeles California.