What to Ask Barbering Schools
Below is a series of questions that you will want to look into for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Chamblee GA home, together with the expense of tuition, will undoubtedly be your primary qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Following we have put together some of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's essential to make certain that the barber college you select 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 measure up to their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for getting student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not obtainable in Chamblee GA 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 employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Every barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating services for reviews along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Chamblee GA barber shop owners or managers, or someone 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 looked into. And finally, consult the Georgia school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you select 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 well regarded for that program. If your aspiration is to launch a barber shop in Chamblee GA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly rated school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Practicing and refining barbering skills and techniques demands plenty of practice on volunteers. 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 enable students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a Chamblee GA barber college offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends heavily on the use of mannequins, it may not be the most effective alternative for developing your skills. Therefore search for other schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's important that he or she gets help in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish aid develop relationships with area employers that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which Chamblee GA area shops and businesses they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? The majority of barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might 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 satisfies all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not discard it as an alternative until you learn what financial aid may be provided in Chamblee GA.