What to Ask Barber Training Programs
Following is a series of questions that you need to investigate for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Tamiami FL home, as well as the price of tuition, will most likely be your first 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 should research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have collected some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make certain that the barber school 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 meet their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for securing student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in Tamiami FL for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Every barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating companies for reviews together with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Tamiami FL barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. And last, consult the Florida school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering 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 select a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your intention 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 desire is to launch a barber shop in Tamiami FL, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly regarded school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and perfecting barbering skills and techniques demands lots of practice on people. Ask 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 Tamiami FL barber college provides limited or no scheduled live training, but instead depends heavily on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for acquiring your skills. Therefore search for other schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from a barber school, it's important that she or he gets support in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer assistance develop relationships with local businesses that are searching for trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and ask which Tamiami FL area shops and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Almost all barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and learn 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 fulfills all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not drop it as an option until you find out what financial help may be offered in Tamiami FL.