How to Find the Best Barbering Course Near Oakland California
Since you have decided to enroll in a barber school near Oakland CA, the task starts to search for and enroll in the best school. It's important that the program you choose not only provides the necessary training for the specialty you have decided on, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your initial search, you might be rather unclear about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are pretty much interchangeable and both refer to the same type of school. We'll discuss a bit more regarding that in the next section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Oakland home. Tuition will also be an important aspect when evaluating potential barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it's not necessarily the right option. There are a number of other qualifications that you should evaluate when comparing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are considering later within 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 Choose Barbering?
A barber is a professional who cuts, trims, and styles hair for primarily male clients, though many women with shorter hairstyles opt to go to these professionals too. Most barbers also provide facial hair maintenance, custom shaves and other men's grooming services. The goal of a barber is to make each client feel comfortable and at ease while their hair is being cut or styled. The barber also seeks to ensure that the client is happy with his or her hairstyle, length and color or his new facial hair style. They usually use tools such as scissors, clippers, razors, and combs Barbers may also provide other services such as applying lotions, shampooing, styling, coloring hair, and singeing. In addition, a barber may perform massage services for the scalp, neck, and face. Finally, barbers will typically bill the client, accept payment and tips and finalize the sale. They may also sell the client products such as shampoo, lotions, or tonics that will meet their styling, grooming and maintenance needs between appointments. They will clean their work area and tools according to the state's safety and sanitation requirements after each appointment.
Questions to Ask Barber Training Programs
Following 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 in relation to your Oakland CA residence, in addition to the expense of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you want 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 need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have compiled some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber college 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available in Oakland 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, many businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Every barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly sought after. Check rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Oakland CA barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. And finally, 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? Many beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you choose a school that specializes in 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 respected for that program. If your vision is to open a barber shop in Oakland CA, then you need 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 Enough Live Training Provided? Studying and refining barbering techniques and abilities requires lots of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that make it possible for students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a Oakland CA barber school provides little or no scheduled live training, but rather depends predominantly on using mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for developing your skills. Therefore try to find alternate schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's important that he or she receives aid in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide aid develop relationships with local businesses that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which Oakland CA area shops and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Many barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and find out 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 satisfies each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not discard it as an option until you learn what financial help may be available in Oakland CA.
How to Choose a Barber College in Oakland
Choose in the Best Oakland Barber College
Picking and enrolling in the ideal barber training program is imperative to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed technician. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel certain about your decision. Don't forget to consolidate all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to compare schools. A sensible start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the school and program you pick are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you start with that foundation, and answer the additional questions provided in this article, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are prepared to start your new career as a professional barber in Oakland California.