What to Ask Barber Training Programs
Below is a series of questions that you need to look into for any barber college you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your West Haven CT residence, together with the expense of tuition, will most likely be your first 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 preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have compiled several of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential to make certain that the barber training program you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for getting student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in West Haven CT for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Every barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. 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 in addition to the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with West Haven CT barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to propose others that you had not thought of. Finally, check with the Connecticut school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of 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, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you select a school that focuses on 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 desire is to open a barber shop in West Haven CT, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.
Is Any Live Training Provided? Studying and perfecting barbering skills and techniques involves lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber classes you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a West Haven CT barber school provides limited or no scheduled live training, but rather depends heavily on the use of mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for developing your skills. Therefore try to find other schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's important that she or he receives support in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer assistance maintain relationships with local employers that are searching for trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and ask which West Haven CT area shops and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance 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 office. 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 accessible to students also. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not omit it as an option before you determine what financial assistance may be available in West Haven CT.