How to Pick the Right Barber Course Near Brighton Colorado
Now that you have decided to enroll in a barber school near Brighton CO, the process begins to locate and enroll in the best school. It's imperative that the program you pick 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 a little bit confused about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are essentially interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. We'll talk a bit more concerning that in the next segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Brighton residence. Tuition will additionally be an important factor when evaluating potential barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it's not always the best choice. There are various other factors that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are thinking about 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 Schools
Following is a list of questions that you should investigate for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Brighton CO home, together with the expense of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have compiled some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important to make certain that the barber college you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in Brighton CO for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Any barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating services for reviews together with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Brighton CO barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. Finally, check with the Colorado school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Many beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you decide on a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your goal is to be trained as a barber, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your aspiration is to launch a barber shop in Brighton CO, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly rated school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Studying and mastering barbering skills and techniques involves plenty of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a Brighton CO barber school provides limited or no scheduled live training, but rather relies heavily on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for developing your skills. Therefore look for alternate schools that provide this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's important that she or he gets assistance in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance develop relationships with area employers that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which Brighton CO area shops and businesses they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Many barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. 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 too. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not discard it as an option before you determine what financial aid may be provided in Brighton CO.
How to Train to Be a Barber in Brighton
Enroll in the Best Brighton Barber School
Finding and enrolling in the right barber school is imperative 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 certain about your decision. Don't forget to consolidate all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to compare schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the institution and program you select are accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. If you begin 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 proper choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are ready to start your new career as a professional barber in Brighton Colorado.