How to Choose the Right Barbering Training Program Near Brighton Colorado
Now that you have decided to enroll in a barber school near Brighton CO, the task starts to find and enroll in the best school. It's imperative that the program you select not only provides the appropriate training for the specialty you have selected, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you might be rather unclear about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are essentially interchangeable and both relate to the same type of school. We'll discuss a little bit more concerning that in the next section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Brighton residence. Tuition will also be an important factor when evaluating possible barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it's not necessarily the right choice. There are a number of other factors that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are looking at later within 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 is an art form, according to many, so it’s no surprise that individuals interested in becoming a barber must become authorities before they can command a barber’s chair. And one of the best and most effective ways to do so is through a comprehensive educational program. Since the early 1880s, barbering has been a tradition among men. Visiting the barber shop was often a weekly occasion, where a shave and a cut, and a little socialization among friends, were as popular as a trip to the local saloon. The barber experience still lives on, and many say it is even making a comeback as men realize the value of a great cut and a close shave. Today’s barbers must be able to deliver the highest quality services to their clients, services that cannot be found at a local mall hair salon or a unisex discount salon. Therefore, a solid education, complete with plenty of hands-on training, is a must. It is also a must for licensure, a requirement in every state. Although some states do recognize an apprenticeship as a route to licensure, all states recognize an accredited program.
Questions to Ask Barber Colleges
Below is a series of questions that you need to research for any barber college you are considering. As we have already covered, 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 want 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 preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have put together some of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber college you enroll in 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 meet their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available in Brighton CO for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Every barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly regarded. Check rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts 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 considering. They might even be able to propose others that you had not looked into. And last, contact the Colorado 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 Specialty? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you decide on 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 aspiration is to open a barber shop in Brighton CO, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities demands plenty of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber courses you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a Brighton CO barber school provides limited or no scheduled live training, but rather depends heavily on the use of mannequins, it may not be the most effective alternative for cultivating your skills. Therefore try to find alternate schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's imperative that she or he gets help in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer aid develop relationships with local employers that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which Brighton CO area shops and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Many barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school is a member of 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 drop it as an alternative until you learn what financial aid may be provided in Brighton CO.
How to Become a Barber in Brighton
Choose in the Best Brighton Barber School
Locating and enrolling in the right barber school is important to receive the necessary training to become a licensed professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel positive about your decision. Make certain to collect all of the information you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that information to contrast schools. A sensible start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the school and program you decide on are accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. If you begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are prepared to begin your career as a professional barber in Brighton Colorado.