How to Find the Right Barbering Classes Near Bethel Connecticut
Now that you have decided to attend a barber school near Bethel CT, the task starts to locate and enroll in the ideal school. It's imperative that the program you select not only furnishes the appropriate instruction for the specialty you have selected, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you may be rather confused about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are basically interchangeable and both refer to the same type of school. We'll talk a bit more about that in the next section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Bethel home. Tuition will also be a critical aspect when assessing potential barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it's not necessarily the right choice. There are a number of other qualifications that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are thinking about 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 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.
What to Ask Barber Schools
Following is a series of questions that you should investigate for any barber school you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Bethel CT residence, as well as the price of tuition, will probably be your primary qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have compiled several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential to make certain that the barber training program you select 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in Bethel CT for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Every barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly sought after. Check rating services for reviews along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Bethel CT barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to propose others that you had not looked into. And finally, consult the Connecticut school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in complete 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, providing training in a particular specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you enroll in 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 dream is to start a barber shop in Bethel CT, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly ranked school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and refining barbering skills and techniques demands lots of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a Bethel CT barber college provides little or no scheduled live training, but instead relies heavily on the use of mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for acquiring your skills. So search for other schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a barber school, it's crucial that she or he gets aid in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance maintain relationships with area employers that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which Bethel CT area shops and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Most barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students too. If a school meets each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not eliminate it as an option before you find out what financial aid may be provided in Bethel CT.
How to Choose a Barber College in Bethel
Enroll in the Best Bethel Barber School
Locating and enrolling in the right barber training program is essential to obtain the proper training to become a licensed professional. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel positive about your decision. Don't forget 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 compare schools. A good beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the college and program you decide on are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you start with that base, and address the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to start your career as a professional barber in Bethel Connecticut.