What to Ask Barbering Colleges
Below is a series of questions that you should research for any barber school you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Wilton CT residence, as well as the expense of tuition, will undoubtedly be your primary qualifiers. Whether you would like 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 must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber college. Following we have put together some of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make certain that the barber training program you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified 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 may also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not obtainable in Wilton CT for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous employers will not employ 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 evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating companies for reviews as well as the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Wilton CT barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to propose others that you had not considered. Finally, check with 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 cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you decide on a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your ambition 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 aspiration is to open a barber shop in Wilton CT, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly rated school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and perfecting barbering skills and techniques involves lots of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber classes you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that enable students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a Wilton CT barber college furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead relies mainly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the best option for acquiring your skills. Therefore try to find alternate schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's important that he or she receives assistance in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide assistance maintain relationships with local businesses that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which Wilton CT area shops and businesses 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 respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? The majority of barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and identify 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 also. If a school meets all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not eliminate it as an option before you determine what financial assistance may be available in Wilton CT.