How to Find the Right Barber Training Near Santa Clarita California
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Santa Clarita CA, the task begins to search for and enroll in the ideal school. It's essential that the school you choose not only provides the proper education for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your initial search, you may be rather confused 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 kind of school. We'll discuss a bit more regarding that in the next segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Santa Clarita residence. Tuition will additionally be a critical factor when reviewing prospective barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it's not always the right option. There are many other factors that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are looking at later within this article. Before we do, let's talk 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.
Questions to Ask Barbering Schools
Below is a list of questions that you need to investigate for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Santa Clarita 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 no doubt be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have put together some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's necessary 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 organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for getting student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered in Santa Clarita CA for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Each barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly demanded. Check rating companies for reviews together with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Santa Clarita CA barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. And finally, contact the California school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you choose a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your intention 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 dream is to open a barber shop in Santa Clarita CA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly ranked school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and perfecting barbering skills and techniques involves lots of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber classes you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a Santa Clarita CA barber school provides little or no scheduled live training, but instead relies mainly on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for cultivating your skills. Therefore try to find other schools that provide this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's imperative that she or he gets assistance in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer assistance develop relationships with local businesses that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and ask which Santa Clarita CA area shops and businesses they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? 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. Talk to a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students also. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not omit it as an alternative until you determine what financial help may be offered in Santa Clarita CA.
How to Train to Be a Barber in Santa Clarita
Enroll in the Best Santa Clarita Barber School
Picking and enrolling in the ideal barber training program is important to obtain the appropriate training to become a licensed technician. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel positive about your decision. Be sure to organize 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 reasonable start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the institution and program you pick are accredited and have impressive reputations within the profession. If you begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions provided in this post, 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 confident that you are ready to start your new career as a professional barber in Santa Clarita California.
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