How to Enroll In the Best Barbering Training Program Near Enfield Connecticut
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Enfield CT, the task begins to find and enroll in the right school. It's important that the school you pick not only provides the necessary training for the specialty you have selected, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you might be somewhat unclear about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are basically interchangeable and both relate to the same type of school. We'll speak a bit more about that in the next segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Enfield home. Tuition will additionally be an important aspect when assessing possible barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it's not always the ideal option. There are several other factors that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are considering later in this article. Before we do, let's discuss a 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 Barbering Training Programs
Following is a series of questions that you will want to investigate for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Enfield CT residence, as well as the price of tuition, will undoubtedly be your initial qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have compiled some of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber school you pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available in Enfield CT for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Each barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials 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 regarded. Visit rating companies for reviews as well as the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Enfield CT barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to propose others that you had not thought of. Finally, contact the Connecticut school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Some beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive 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 commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you select a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your intention 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 dream is to launch a barber shop in Enfield CT, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly ranked school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.
Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and refining barbering techniques and abilities demands lots of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber lessons you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that enable students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a Enfield CT barber school provides little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends predominantly on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for developing your skills. Therefore search for alternate schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a barber school, it's imperative that she or he receives assistance in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide assistance maintain relationships with local businesses that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which Enfield CT area shops and organizations they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Many barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and learn 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 available to students too. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not drop it as an option before you determine what financial assistance may be provided in Enfield CT.
How to Become a Barber in Enfield
Choose in the Best Enfield Barber School
Selecting and enrolling in the right barber college is important to get the necessary training to become a licensed technician. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel certain about your decision. Make sure to compile all of the information you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to compare schools. A good beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the institution and program you choose are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you start with that base, and answer the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. And when 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 Enfield Connecticut.