How to Find the Right Barber College Near Jacksonville Florida

Since you have decided to enroll in a barber school near Jacksonville FL, the process starts to find and enroll in the ideal school. It's imperative that the program you pick not only provides the appropriate training for the specialty you have selected, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you may be a little bit unclear about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are pretty much interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. We'll talk a little bit more about that in the next segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Jacksonville residence. Tuition will additionally be an important factor when assessing prospective barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it's not automatically the ideal option. There are a number of other factors that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are considering later in this article. Before we do, let's talk a little bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.

Why Choose Barbering?

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 Barbering Colleges

Below is a series of questions that you should investigate for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Jacksonville FL residence, as well as the expense of tuition, will most likely be your primary qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Following we have put together several of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final selection.

Is the Barber School 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 certified local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered in Jacksonville FL for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in many 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 favorably upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Good Reputation?  Any barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly regarded. Check rating services for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Jacksonville FL barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. Finally, check with the Florida 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 Focus?  Many beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all areas 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 imperative that you decide on a school that focuses on 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 respected for that program. If your desire is to start a barber shop in Jacksonville FL, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly regarded school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.

Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided?  Learning and refining barbering skills and techniques demands plenty of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber lessons you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that make it possible for students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a Jacksonville FL barber college furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but instead depends heavily on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for cultivating your skills. So look 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 imperative that he or she gets assistance in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance develop relationships with area businesses that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which Jacksonville FL area shops and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Aid Offered?  Most barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students also. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not discard it as an alternative before you learn what financial aid may be available in Jacksonville FL.

How to Choose a Barber School in Jacksonville

Choose in the Right Jacksonville Barber School

Locating and enrolling in the ideal barber training program is imperative to obtain the proper training to become a licensed specialist. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel certain about your decision. Be sure to organize all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that information to contrast schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the institution and program you select are accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are qualified to begin your career as a professional barber in Jacksonville Florida.

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