How to Enroll In the Best Barbering School Near Van Nuys California
Now that you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Van Nuys CA, the task starts to search for and enroll in the ideal school. It's important that the school you select not only provides the proper education for the specialty you have chosen, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your preliminary search, you might be somewhat confused about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are essentially interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. We'll talk a bit more about that in the upcoming segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Van Nuys home. Tuition will additionally be an important factor when reviewing prospective barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it's not necessarily the best choice. There are various other qualifications that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are considering later in this article. Before we do, let's talk 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.
Questions to Ask Barber Training Programs
Below is a list of questions that you should look into for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Van Nuys CA residence, together with the price of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have compiled several of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for getting student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered in Van Nuys CA for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Every barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly demanded. Check rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Van Nuys CA barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to propose others that you had not considered. And last, contact the California school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly 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 goal 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 Van Nuys CA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly rated school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Learning and refining barbering techniques and abilities demands plenty of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that make it possible for students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a Van Nuys CA barber school offers little or no scheduled live training, but instead relies predominantly on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for cultivating your skills. So look for alternate schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a barber school, it's important that she or he gets aid in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance develop relationships with area businesses that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which Van Nuys CA area shops and organizations they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? The majority of barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students too. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not drop it as an option before you determine what financial help may be offered in Van Nuys CA.
How to Become a Barber in Van Nuys
Choose in the Best Van Nuys Barber College
Choosing and enrolling in the right barber school is imperative to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed technician. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel confident about your decision. Make certain to collect all of the responses you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that information to compare schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the institution and program you decide on are accredited and have impressive reputations within the profession. If you start with that base, and answer the additional questions provided in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to start your career as a professional barber in Van Nuys California.