How to Choose the Right Barber Training Program Near Grand Junction Colorado

Since you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Grand Junction CO, the process starts to search for and enroll in the best school. It's imperative that the program you pick not only provides the appropriate instruction for the specialty you have chosen, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your preliminary search, you may be somewhat unclear about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are basically interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. We'll talk a little bit more concerning that in the following segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Grand Junction residence. Tuition will additionally be a critical factor when evaluating possible barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it's not always the right option. There are various other qualifications that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are looking at later in 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 Choose Barbering?

Barbershops have always been a place for men to get their hair cut, socialize, and gab about everything from sports to stock tips. Although today some women visit barbershops and some men visit stylists and salons, the barbershop and its iconic red, white, and blue striped pole is still a cornerstone of male culture. If you’ve got an eye for style, a creative flair, and an appreciation for America’s unique barbershop culture, a career as a barber could be your calling. As a barber, you’ll cut, style, shape, and treat men’s hair, and sometimes women’s and children’s hair, too. You’ll give shaves and trim facial hair and sometimes perform neck and scalp massages. Like all specialists in the field of cosmetology, you’ll make a ritual out of maintaining your tools, station, and clients to the highest standards of hygiene and sanitization.

Questions to Ask Barbering Colleges

Following is a list of questions that you need to investigate for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Grand Junction CO home, in addition to the price of tuition, will undoubtedly be your primary 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 preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have collected several of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final determination.

Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber school 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for getting student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available in Grand Junction CO for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation?  Any barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly regarded. Check rating companies for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Grand Junction CO barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. And last, consult the Colorado school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty?  A number of beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you pick a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your ambition 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 open a barber shop in Grand Junction CO, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you require.

Is Any Live Training Provided?  Practicing and perfecting barbering skills and techniques demands plenty of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber classes you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that make it possible for students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a Grand Junction CO barber school furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but rather depends heavily on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for acquiring your skills. Therefore try to find other schools that provide this type of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's crucial that he or she receives support in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer assistance maintain relationships with local businesses that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which Grand Junction CO area shops and businesses they refer students to. In addition, 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 respected as well.

Is Financial Assistance Available?  Most barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Speak 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 as well. If a school meets each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not drop it as an alternative before you learn what financial aid may be provided in Grand Junction CO.

How to Choose a Barber College in Grand Junction

Enroll in the Best Grand Junction Barber College

Locating and enrolling in the ideal barber school is essential to get the necessary training to become a licensed specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel certain about your decision. Make certain to compile 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 contrast schools. A sensible start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the college and program you pick are accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. If you start with that base, and answer the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to launch your career as a professional barber in Grand Junction Colorado.

Grand Junction Barbering Training | Grand Junction College Of Barbering