How to Enroll In the Best Barber College Near Ridgecrest California
Once you have decided to enroll in a barber school near Ridgecrest CA, the process begins to locate and enroll in the ideal school. It's imperative that the school you pick not only furnishes the necessary instruction for the specialty you have chosen, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your preliminary search, you might be rather puzzled about the distinction 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 speak a bit more concerning that in the following section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Ridgecrest home. Tuition will also be an important factor when assessing potential barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it's not automatically the right choice. There are several other qualifications that you should weigh when comparing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are looking at later in this article. Before we do, let's discuss a 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 Colleges
Below is a list of questions that you should research for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Ridgecrest CA home, together with the price of tuition, will most likely be your primary 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 choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber school. Following we have collected several of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the barber college you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged 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 assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered in Ridgecrest CA for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Every barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Ridgecrest CA barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to propose others that you had not looked into. And finally, consult the California school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important 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 respected for that program. If your desire is to open a barber shop in Ridgecrest CA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Practicing and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities involves lots of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that make it possible for students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a Ridgecrest CA barber school furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends heavily on the use of mannequins, it may not be the best option for cultivating your skills. So try to find other schools that provide this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a barber school, it's essential that she or he receives assistance in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish help maintain relationships with area businesses that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and ask which Ridgecrest CA area shops and establishments they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Almost all barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students also. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not drop it as an option before you find out what financial help may be offered in Ridgecrest CA.
How to Train to Be a Barber in Ridgecrest
Choose in the Best Ridgecrest Barber School
Choosing and enrolling in the ideal barber training program is imperative to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed practitioner. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel confident about your decision. Be sure to consolidate all of the information you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to contrast schools. A good start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the college and program you decide on are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, and address the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to begin your career as a professional barber in Ridgecrest California.
Ridgecrest Barber Colleges | Ridgecrest How To Become A Barber