How to Select the Right Barber Academy Near Thornton Colorado
Since you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Thornton CO, the process begins to locate and enroll in the ideal school. It's essential that the program you select not only furnishes the proper instruction for the specialty you have chosen, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you may 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 essentially interchangeable and both refer to the same type of school. We'll discuss a little bit more concerning that in the following segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Thornton home. Tuition will likewise be an important consideration when evaluating prospective barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it's not necessarily the right option. There are a number of other qualifications that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are looking at later in this article. Before we do, let's talk 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.
Questions to Ask Barbering Colleges
Following is a series of questions that you will want to look into for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Thornton CO residence, together with the price of tuition, will most likely be your initial qualifiers. Whether you want 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 even more factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have put together several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make certain that the barber training program you select is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified local or national agency, 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 can also be necessary for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered in Thornton CO for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Any barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly demanded. Check rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Thornton CO barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. And last, contact the Colorado school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Some beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you enroll in a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your objective is to be trained as a barber, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your dream is to launch a barber shop in Thornton CO, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly rated school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Learning and mastering barbering techniques and abilities involves lots of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that make it possible for students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a Thornton CO barber school offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead depends heavily on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for cultivating your skills. Therefore search for alternate schools that furnish this kind 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 gets aid in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer help maintain relationships with area businesses that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which Thornton CO area shops and businesses they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have extensive 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. Find out if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and learn 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 accessible to students too. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not omit it as an alternative before you find out what financial help may be available in Thornton CO.
How to Train in Barbering in Thornton
Enroll in the Right Thornton Barber College
Finding and enrolling in the ideal barber college is essential to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed specialist. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel certain about your decision. Be sure to collect all of the responses you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to contrast schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the college and program you pick are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you start with that foundation, and answer the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are prepared to start your career as a professional barber in Thornton Colorado.