How to Select the Right Barbering Training Program Near Brighton Colorado
Now that you have decided to enroll in a barber school near Brighton CO, the process begins to search for and enroll in the ideal school. It's essential that the school you select not only furnishes the proper education for the specialty you have decided on, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you may be a little bit puzzled 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 type of school. We'll speak a little bit more about that in the following segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Brighton residence. Tuition will also be a critical aspect when assessing prospective barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it's not automatically the best choice. There are a number of other considerations that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are considering later within 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 can be considered a subspecialty in the larger field of cosmetology. While cosmetologists train to work in hair, nails, skin, makeup, and overall beauty enhancement, barbers focus on cutting hair, almost exclusively men’s hair, and giving shaves and trimming facial hair. They might learn specialized techniques such as coloring and permanent waving like cosmetologists do, but it’s not essential. Barbers and cosmetologists also earn different licenses that specify which services they can legally perform. The first step to becoming a barber is to complete a barbering program. You might choose to enroll in a dedicated barber school or sign up for a barbering program in a cosmetology school that offers barbering as a specialty. Because states have different requirements for training and licensure, it is important to start by checking with your state cosmetology board.
Questions to Ask Barbering Training Programs
Below is a series of questions that you should research for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Brighton CO residence, together with the expense of tuition, will most likely be your initial qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have collected several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the barber training program you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for getting student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available in Brighton CO for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Any barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating companies for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Brighton CO barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to propose others that you had not considered. And last, contact the Colorado school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative 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 aspiration is to open a barber shop in Brighton CO, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly rated school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Learning and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities demands plenty of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that make it possible for students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a Brighton CO barber school offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends predominantly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the best option for developing your skills. Therefore look for alternate schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a barber school, it's essential that she or he receives help in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish aid develop relationships with local employers that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and ask which Brighton CO area shops and establishments they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Almost all barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students as well. If a school meets each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not omit it as an option before you learn what financial help may be available in Brighton CO.
How to Choose a Barber School in Brighton
Choose in the Right Brighton Barber School
Selecting and enrolling in the ideal barber school is imperative to receive the necessary training to become a licensed specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel certain about your decision. Don't forget to compile all of the information you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that data to compare schools. A good beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the institution and program you pick are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, and answer the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are ready to begin your new career as a professional barber in Brighton Colorado.