What to Ask Barber Training Programs
Following is a list of questions that you need to research for any barber college you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Hialeah FL residence, in addition to the cost 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 even more factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have put together some of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber college 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for getting student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available in Hialeah FL for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of businesses will not hire 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 exceptional reputation within the profession. 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, signifying that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating services for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Hialeah FL barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. Finally, contact the Florida 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? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you pick a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your goal is to be trained as a barber, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your aspiration is to open a barber shop in Hialeah FL, 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 weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.
Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Practicing and perfecting barbering skills and techniques involves plenty of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that make it possible for students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a Hialeah FL barber school furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the best option for cultivating your skills. Therefore search for alternate schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a barber school, it's essential that he or she gets assistance in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer aid maintain relationships with area employers that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which Hialeah FL area shops and organizations they refer students to. In addition, 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 respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? The majority of barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school belongs to 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 expense, do not eliminate it as an alternative until you learn what financial help may be offered in Hialeah FL.