How to Choose the Right Barbering Training Program Near Honolulu Hawaii

Now that you have decided to attend a barber school near Honolulu HI, the task begins to find and enroll in the right school. It's imperative that the school you pick not only furnishes the proper training for the specialty you have selected, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you might be a little bit confused about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are essentially interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. We'll talk a little bit more regarding that in the next section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Honolulu residence. Tuition will additionally be a critical factor when assessing potential barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it's not always the ideal choice. There are various other considerations that you should weigh when comparing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are thinking about later within this article. Before we do, let's talk a bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.

Why Become a Barber?

Hairstyles are increasingly being considered by people to be a projection of their personalities.  As a result, barbers are still very much in demand. However, most people are looking for trained professionals and will not just drop in on any local barber shop displaying a red, white and blue pole. Training to become a barber is a career move that offers many benefits for those that are both artistic and sociable.  The artistic side is indulged by creating a plethora of different and sometimes challenging hairstyles. The social aspect obviously comes into play by keeping the customer engaged while creating your masterpiece. In fact, some barbers are so proud of their artistic accomplishments that they will take photos of their finished hairstyles and post them on their websites as a portfolio to attract new clients.  And barbering lends itself to a more intimate form of customer service by providing time with the client while cutting his (or her) hair.  This time spent together can lead to the development of a rapport or even a new friendship. As a result, many customers come back not only because they are pleased with the service, but also to enjoy the social amenities that their neighborhood barbershop can offer.

What to Ask Barbering Colleges

Below is a series of questions that you need to investigate for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Honolulu HI residence, together with the cost of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have collected several of those supplemental questions that you should 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 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 ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for securing student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered in Honolulu HI for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Good Reputation?  Each barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly regarded. Check rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Honolulu HI barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. Finally, check with the Hawaii 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 Focus?  Some beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically 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 objective is to be trained as a barber, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your dream is to start a barber shop in Honolulu HI, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you require.

Is Any Hands-On Training Provided?  Learning and perfecting barbering skills and techniques demands plenty of practice on volunteers. Check 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 make it possible for students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a Honolulu HI barber college offers limited or no scheduled live training, but instead depends predominantly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for cultivating your skills. So search for other schools that offer this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's imperative that she or he receives aid in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer aid develop relationships with local employers that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which Honolulu HI area shops and organizations they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Assistance Available?  Most barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and identify 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 too. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not omit it as an option until you find out what financial aid may be available in Honolulu HI.

How to Become a Barber in Honolulu

Choose in the Right Honolulu Barber School

Choosing and enrolling in the ideal barber school is essential to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed professional. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel positive about your decision. Be sure to consolidate all of the responses you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to contrast schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the school and program you pick are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, and answer the additional questions provided in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to launch your career as a professional barber in Honolulu Hawaii.

Honolulu Barbering Colleges | Honolulu Schools For Barbering