What to Ask Barber Training Programs
Below is a series of questions that you will want to investigate for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Simsbury CT home, in addition to the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly be your initial qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Following we have collected some of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's essential to make certain that the barber college you choose 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 meet their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for getting student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered in Simsbury CT for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria 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 may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Any barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly regarded. Check rating companies for reviews as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Simsbury CT barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to propose others that you had not considered. And finally, consult the Connecticut school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Some beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for instance 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 focuses on 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 dream is to start a barber shop in Simsbury CT, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Studying and refining barbering skills and techniques requires lots of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber courses you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a Simsbury CT barber school provides limited or no scheduled live training, but instead relies mainly on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for acquiring your skills. Therefore search for alternate schools that provide this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a barber school, it's essential that she or he gets aid in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide help maintain relationships with area employers that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which Simsbury CT area shops and businesses they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Almost all barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students as well. If a school meets each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not drop it as an option before you determine what financial aid may be available in Simsbury CT.