How to Find the Best Barber Training Program Near Glendale Heights Illinois

Since you have decided to attend a barber school near Glendale Heights IL, the process begins to find and enroll in the best school. It's important that the program you choose not only furnishes the appropriate education for the specialty you have decided on, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your preliminary search, you may be somewhat confused about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are pretty much interchangeable and both relate to the same type of school. We'll discuss a bit more concerning that in the next section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Glendale Heights home. Tuition will also be a critical aspect when evaluating prospective barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it's not always the ideal option. There are a number of other qualifications that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask about 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 Become a Barber?

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.

Questions to Ask Barbering Training Programs

Following is a list of questions that you need to research for any barber college you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Glendale Heights IL residence, as well as the expense of tuition, will undoubtedly be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber training program. Following we have collected some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final decision.

Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber school you pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for getting student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable in Glendale Heights IL for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation?  Any barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly sought after. Check rating companies for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Glendale Heights IL barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. And last, contact the Illinois school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus?  Many beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for example 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 certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your vision is to launch a barber shop in Glendale Heights IL, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly ranked school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.

Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided?  Studying and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities involves plenty of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a Glendale Heights IL barber school offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead relies predominantly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best option for developing your skills. So look for alternate schools that furnish this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's crucial that he or she gets help in securing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide aid maintain relationships with area businesses that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which Glendale Heights IL area shops and organizations they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Aid Available?  Many barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students also. If a school meets each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not omit it as an alternative before you determine what financial aid may be provided in Glendale Heights IL.

How to Choose a Barber School in Glendale Heights

Enroll in the Best Glendale Heights Barber School

Picking and enrolling in the right barber training program is essential to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel certain about your decision. Make sure to compile all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that data to contrast schools. A good beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the institution and program you pick are accredited and have impressive reputations within the profession. If you start with that foundation, and answer the additional questions provided in this article, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the ideal choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are prepared to launch your new career as a professional barber in Glendale Heights Illinois.

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