How to Pick the Right Barber School Near Redding California
Once you have decided to enroll in a barber school near Redding CA, the task begins to find and enroll in the best school. It's imperative that the school you choose not only provides the appropriate training for the specialty you have decided on, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your initial search, you may be rather puzzled about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are essentially interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. We'll speak a bit more concerning that in the following section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Redding home. Tuition will likewise be a critical consideration when assessing potential barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it's not necessarily the right option. There are various other factors that you should weigh when comparing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are looking at later in 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 Choose Barbering?
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 Training Programs
Following is a list of questions that you will want to look into for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Redding CA home, in addition to the price of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have compiled several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential to make certain that the barber school you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for getting student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not obtainable in Redding CA for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many employers will not hire 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 school that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional 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, indicating that their students are highly demanded. Check rating services for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Redding CA barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to propose others that you had not looked into. And last, contact the California school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you select a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your objective is to be trained as a barber, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your vision is to launch a barber shop in Redding 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 weak program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and mastering barbering techniques and abilities requires lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber lessons you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a Redding CA barber school provides little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends heavily on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for developing your skills. Therefore look for alternate schools that provide this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's imperative that she or he receives aid in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish aid maintain relationships with area businesses that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which Redding CA area shops and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Almost all barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students as well. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not drop it as an alternative until you learn what financial assistance may be provided in Redding CA.
How to Choose a Barber College in Redding
Enroll in the Best Redding Barber School
Choosing and enrolling in the ideal barber college is imperative to get the necessary training to become a licensed technician. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel positive about your decision. Be sure to consolidate all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that data to contrast schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the school and program you pick are accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. If you start with that base, and answer the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to start your career as a professional barber in Redding California.