What to Ask Barbering Training Programs
Below is a series of questions that you need to research for any barber school you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Pompano Beach FL residence, in addition to the price of tuition, will most likely be your initial qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue 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 preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber training program. Following we have compiled some of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential to make certain that the barber college you pick 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for getting student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in Pompano Beach FL for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Any barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Verify 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 agencies. If you have any contacts with Pompano Beach FL barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. And finally, check with the Florida school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you enroll in 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 start a barber shop in Pompano Beach FL, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and refining barbering skills and techniques requires lots 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 developing skills on real people. If a Pompano Beach FL barber college furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead relies predominantly on using mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for cultivating your skills. So search for alternate schools that provide this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a barber college, it's important that she or he receives help in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance maintain relationships with local employers that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which Pompano Beach FL area shops and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Many barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students as well. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not eliminate it as an alternative until you learn what financial help may be offered in Pompano Beach FL.