How to Enroll In the Right Barber Training Near Duluth Georgia
Now that you have decided to attend a barber school near Duluth GA, the process starts to locate and enroll in the right school. It's essential that the school you select not only provides the proper education for the specialty you have chosen, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your preliminary search, you may be rather unclear about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are essentially interchangeable and both relate to the same type of school. We'll discuss a little bit more regarding that in the next segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Duluth home. Tuition will additionally be a critical factor when assessing possible barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it's not automatically the right option. There are several other factors that you should weigh when comparing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are thinking about later in this article. Before we do, let's talk a little 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.
What to Ask Barber Colleges
Below is a list of questions that you will want to look into for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Duluth GA residence, in addition to the cost of tuition, will probably 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 narrowed your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have compiled some of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber college you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for getting student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available in Duluth GA for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Any barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating services for reviews along with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Duluth GA barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to propose others that you had not considered. Finally, check with the Georgia 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? 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 particular specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you decide on 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 well regarded for that program. If your vision is to start a barber shop in Duluth GA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and refining barbering skills and techniques demands plenty of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber classes you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a Duluth GA barber college provides little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends heavily on the use of mannequins, it may not be the best option for acquiring your skills. Therefore look for other schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's imperative that he or she receives aid in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide assistance maintain relationships with local businesses that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and find out which Duluth GA area shops and businesses they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Most barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you may 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 expense, do not discard it as an option until you determine what financial assistance may be provided in Duluth GA.
How to Choose a Barber School in Duluth
Enroll in the Right Duluth Barber School
Picking and enrolling in the ideal barber training program is imperative to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed technician. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel confident about your decision. Be sure to collect all of the responses you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to contrast schools. A sensible start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the college and program you pick are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. If you start with that foundation, and answer the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are qualified to launch your new career as a professional barber in Duluth Georgia.