How to Select the Right Barbering Academy Near Maitland Florida
Now that you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Maitland FL, the process starts to search for and enroll in the best school. It's important that the program you choose not only provides the appropriate education for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you may be a little bit confused about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are essentially interchangeable and both refer to the same type of school. We'll discuss a little bit more about that in the upcoming segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Maitland residence. Tuition will also be an important consideration when assessing potential barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it's not necessarily the right option. There are several other factors that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are looking at later in this article. Before we do, let's talk a 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 Barber Training Programs
Following is a list of questions that you need to research for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Maitland FL residence, together with the expense of tuition, will probably be your initial qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber school. Following we have compiled some of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's essential to make certain that the barber school you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized 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 assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not obtainable in Maitland FL for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in many 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 considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating services for reviews along with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Maitland FL barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. And finally, check with the Florida school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often expand 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 certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your vision is to open a barber shop in Maitland FL, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly regarded school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and refining barbering skills and techniques requires plenty of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber classes you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a Maitland FL barber college provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead depends mainly on using mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for cultivating your skills. Therefore look for other schools that provide this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's essential that he or she receives support in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide aid develop relationships with local employers that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which Maitland FL area shops and establishments they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Most barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Speak with 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 accessible to students as well. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not discard it as an option before you determine what financial help may be provided in Maitland FL.
How to Choose a Barber College in Maitland
Choose in the Best Maitland Barber College
Selecting and enrolling in the right barber college is essential to get the proper training to become a licensed technician. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel positive about your decision. Make certain to organize all of the responses you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to contrast schools. A good beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the school and program you decide on are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the profession. If you begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to start your new career as a professional barber in Maitland Florida.