What to Ask Barbering Training Programs
Following is a list of questions that you need to look into for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Marco Island FL home, together with the price of tuition, will undoubtedly be your first qualifiers. Whether you want 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 initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have collected some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber training program you pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable in Marco Island FL for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Each barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly sought after. Check rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Marco Island FL barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to propose others that you had not looked into. Finally, check with the Florida school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you choose a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your objective is to be trained as a barber, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your vision is to start a barber shop in Marco Island FL, then you want 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 provide the training you require.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and refining barbering skills and techniques requires plenty of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a Marco Island FL barber school provides little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends mainly on using mannequins, it might not be the best option for acquiring your skills. So look for alternate schools that provide this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's important that he or she gets support in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer help develop relationships with local employers that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which Marco Island FL area shops and organizations they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Almost all barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you may qualify 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 fulfills all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not eliminate it as an option until you learn what financial aid may be provided in Marco Island FL.