Questions to Ask Barbering Schools
Following is a series of questions that you should investigate for any barber school you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Jacksonville Beach FL residence, in addition to the price of tuition, will undoubtedly be your initial qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Following we have put together several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the barber training program you select 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for getting student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available in Jacksonville Beach 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, many businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Every barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Jacksonville Beach FL barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. And last, contact the Florida school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you pick a school that focuses on 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 respected for that program. If your desire is to open a barber shop in Jacksonville Beach FL, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly rated school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Any Live Training Provided? Learning and mastering barbering techniques and abilities involves plenty of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber classes you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that make it possible for students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a Jacksonville Beach FL barber college provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends heavily on the use of mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for developing your skills. Therefore search for other schools that provide this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from a barber school, it's imperative that he or she gets help in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance develop relationships with local businesses that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and find out which Jacksonville Beach FL area shops and organizations they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Almost all barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid department. Consult 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 available to students also. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not drop it as an alternative until you find out what financial assistance may be offered in Jacksonville Beach FL.