How to Find the Right Barbering Training Near Wallingford Connecticut

Since you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Wallingford CT, the task begins to search for and enroll in the right school. It's important that the program you pick not only provides the appropriate instruction for the specialty you have selected, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your preliminary search, you might be somewhat unclear 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 pertain to the same type of school. We'll speak a bit more concerning that in the following segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Wallingford residence. Tuition will also be a critical factor when evaluating potential barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it's not automatically the best option. There are a number of other considerations that you should evaluate when comparing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are thinking about 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 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 Barber Colleges

Following is a series of questions that you should research for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Wallingford CT residence, as well as the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and take into consideration 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 decision.

Is the Barber College Accredited? It's necessary to make certain that the barber training program you choose 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for securing student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in Wallingford CT for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many 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 Good Reputation?  Every barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating companies for reviews together with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Wallingford CT barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. And last, consult 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 Specialty?  Some beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden 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 ambition 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 Wallingford CT, 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 weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.

Is Enough Live Training Provided?  Studying and refining barbering techniques and abilities requires plenty of practice on people. 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 site that enable students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a Wallingford CT barber college provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends predominantly on using mannequins, it may not be the best option for acquiring your skills. Therefore search for other schools that offer this type of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's essential that she or he gets support in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide aid develop relationships with area businesses that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which Wallingford CT area shops and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher 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 offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and find out 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 also. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not drop it as an alternative before you learn what financial help may be available in Wallingford CT.

How to Choose a Barber School in Wallingford

Enroll in the Best Wallingford Barber College

Choosing and enrolling in the ideal barber school is important to receive the proper training to become a licensed specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel confident about your decision. Be sure to compile all of the information you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to contrast schools. A good beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the college and program you select are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions provided in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the ideal choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are prepared to start your career as a professional barber in Wallingford Connecticut.

Wallingford Barbering Colleges | Wallingford Schools For Barbering