What to Ask Barbering Colleges
Below is a list of questions that you should look into for any barber college you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Warner Robins GA home, together with the cost of tuition, will probably be your primary 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 preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have collected several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber college 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 can also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available in Warner Robins GA for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Any barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating services for reviews together with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Warner Robins GA barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. Finally, contact the Georgia school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you select a school that focuses on 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 desire is to launch a barber shop in Warner Robins GA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Learning and refining barbering skills and techniques involves lots of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a Warner Robins GA barber college provides limited or no scheduled live training, but instead relies heavily on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for developing your skills. So look for other schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a barber college, it's essential that he or she gets aid in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish help maintain relationships with area employers that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which Warner Robins GA area shops and organizations they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? The majority of barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and identify 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 accessible to students too. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not omit it as an alternative until you learn what financial assistance may be offered in Warner Robins GA.