How to Find the Right Barbering Training Near Torrance California
Once you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Torrance CA, the process begins to search for and enroll in the right school. It's important that the program you pick not only furnishes the proper training for the specialty you have chosen, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your preliminary search, you may be rather confused about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are basically interchangeable and both refer to the same type of school. We'll talk a bit more about that in the following section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Torrance home. Tuition will likewise be a critical consideration when reviewing potential barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it's not always the best option. There are many other qualifications that you should weigh when comparing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will review 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 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 Barber Schools
Below is a series of questions that you should research for any barber school you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Torrance CA residence, in addition to the expense of tuition, will undoubtedly be your initial qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber training program. 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 essential to make certain that the barber college you enroll in 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 comply with their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered in Torrance CA for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in several 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 may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Each barber college 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 references from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Torrance CA barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. Finally, check with 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 Focus? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you pick a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your ambition 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 launch a barber shop in Torrance CA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly ranked school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and mastering barbering techniques and abilities requires plenty of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber lessons you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that make it possible for students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a Torrance CA barber college offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead relies mainly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the most effective alternative for acquiring your skills. Therefore look for alternate schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a barber school, it's imperative that she or he receives support in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish help develop relationships with area businesses that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which Torrance 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 extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? The majority of barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and learn 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 meets all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not discard it as an option before you determine what financial help may be provided in Torrance CA.
How to Choose a Barber School in Torrance
Enroll in the Right Torrance Barber School
Selecting and enrolling in the right barber training program is essential to get the appropriate training to become a licensed professional. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel positive about your decision. Make sure to consolidate all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that information to compare schools. A good start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the school and program you select are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you start with that foundation, and address the additional questions provided in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to launch your new career as a professional barber in Torrance California.