How to Select the Best Barbering College Near Erie Colorado
Once you have decided to attend a barber school near Erie CO, the process starts to locate and enroll in the right school. It's imperative that the school you choose not only furnishes the proper education for the specialty you have selected, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your preliminary search, you might 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 pretty much interchangeable and both relate to the same type of school. We'll talk a bit more about that in the upcoming section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Erie residence. Tuition will also be a critical aspect when evaluating potential barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it's not always the best choice. There are several other qualifications that you should weigh when reviewing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are looking at later within 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 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
Following is a series of questions that you should research for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Erie CO residence, in addition to the cost of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have collected some of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's essential to make certain that the barber school you select 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 guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available in Erie 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 hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Each barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Erie CO barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. And finally, consult the Colorado school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you select a school that focuses on 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 vision is to launch a barber shop in Erie CO, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly ranked school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and refining barbering techniques and abilities demands lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber lessons you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a Erie CO barber school offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather relies mainly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the best option for acquiring your skills. Therefore look for alternate schools that furnish this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a barber college, it's important that she or he receives aid in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide help develop relationships with area businesses that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which Erie CO area shops and businesses they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? The majority of barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students also. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not drop it as an alternative until you determine what financial aid may be offered in Erie CO.
How to Choose a Barber College in Erie
Enroll in the Best Erie Barber School
Choosing and enrolling in the right barber training program is imperative to get the appropriate training to become a licensed practitioner. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel certain about your decision. Make certain to consolidate all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to contrast schools. A good beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the college and program you decide on are accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the ideal choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to launch your new career as a professional barber in Erie Colorado.