How to Choose the Best Barber Training Program Near Redding California
Since 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 program you pick not only provides the appropriate education 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 somewhat unclear about the difference 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 kind of school. We'll speak a little 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 Redding home. Tuition will also be a critical consideration when assessing potential barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it's not automatically the ideal choice. There are a number of other qualifications that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are thinking about 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 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 Schools
Following is a list of questions that you should look into for any barber college you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Redding CA home, together with the expense of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Following we have put together some of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make certain that the barber school you enroll in 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 measure up to their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for securing student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered in Redding CA for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Each barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating companies for reviews as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Redding CA barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. Finally, contact the California school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some beauty schools offer programs that are broad 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 often 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 goal is to be trained as a barber, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your vision is to open 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 Plenty of Live Training Provided? Practicing and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities involves plenty of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber lessons you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a Redding CA barber college provides little or no scheduled live training, but instead relies mainly on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for acquiring your skills. Therefore look for other schools that provide this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's crucial that he or she gets aid in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish help develop relationships with local employers that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which Redding CA area shops and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, find out 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 Offered? Many barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students too. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not omit it as an option until you determine what financial assistance may be available in Redding CA.
How to Train in Barbering in Redding
Choose in the Best Redding Barber College
Locating and enrolling in the ideal barber school is important to receive the proper training to become a licensed practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel certain about your decision. Make certain to collect all of the information you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to contrast schools. A sensible start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the institution and program you decide on are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you start with that base, and address the additional questions presented 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 self-assured that you are ready to start your career as a professional barber in Redding California.