How to Pick the Right Barber School Near Highlands Ranch Colorado

Since you have decided to attend a barber school near Highlands Ranch CO, the task starts to locate and enroll in the right school. It's essential that the school you pick not only furnishes the proper instruction for the specialty you have chosen, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your initial search, you might be somewhat puzzled about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are pretty much interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. We'll discuss a little bit more about that in the next section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Highlands Ranch residence. Tuition will also be a critical factor when evaluating possible barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it's not necessarily the right choice. There are a number of other factors that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask concerning 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?

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.

Questions to Ask Barber Training Programs

Following is a series of questions that you should investigate for any barber college you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Highlands Ranch CO residence, together with the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have collected some of those supplemental 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 college 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 measure up to their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in Highlands Ranch CO for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria 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 positively upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have an Excellent Reputation?  Any barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent 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, indicating that their students are highly regarded. Check rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Highlands Ranch CO barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to recommend 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 total compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus?  Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you pick 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 well regarded for that program. If your desire is to start a barber shop in Highlands Ranch CO, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly ranked school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you need.

Is Enough Live Training Provided?  Practicing and refining barbering techniques and abilities involves plenty of practice on people. Find out 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 developing skills on volunteers. If a Highlands Ranch CO barber college furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead depends mainly on using mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for developing your skills. So try to find other schools that furnish this kind of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  Once a student graduates from a barber school, 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 provide aid develop relationships with local businesses that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which Highlands Ranch CO area shops and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, ask 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 Aid Offered?  Many barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and identify 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 offered to students too. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not omit it as an alternative before you find out what financial help may be provided in Highlands Ranch CO.

How to Train in Barbering in Highlands Ranch

Choose in the Right Highlands Ranch Barber College

Picking and enrolling in the ideal barber school is important to receive the necessary training to become a licensed technician. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel certain about your decision. Be sure to consolidate all of the responses you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to compare schools. A sensible start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the institution and program you decide on are accredited and have impressive reputations within the profession. If you start with that base, and answer the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to begin your new career as a professional barber in Highlands Ranch Colorado.

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