What to Ask Barber Training Programs
Following is a list of questions that you should investigate for any barber school you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Alsip IL residence, together with the cost of tuition, will probably be your initial qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced 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 compiled several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important 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 measure up to their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for securing student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in Alsip IL for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Any barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Alsip IL barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. And last, check with the Illinois 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 Specialty? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you select a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your intention 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 launch a barber shop in Alsip IL, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Practicing and mastering barbering skills and techniques requires lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber courses you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that enable students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a Alsip IL barber school offers limited or no scheduled live training, but rather relies mainly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for cultivating your skills. So try to find alternate schools that provide this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a barber college, it's essential that she or he receives help in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish aid develop relationships with area businesses that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which Alsip IL area shops and establishments they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected 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 reviewing have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you may 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 with the exception of cost, do not eliminate it as an alternative until you find out what financial help may be available in Alsip IL.