What to Ask Barber Training Programs
Below is a list of questions that you will want to investigate for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Kankakee IL residence, together with the cost of tuition, will most likely be your first 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 need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber college. Following we have collected several of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final determination.
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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in Kankakee IL for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Each barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Confirm 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 relationships with Kankakee IL barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the trade, 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, consult the Illinois school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in complete 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 specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you decide on a school that focuses on 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 aspiration is to start a barber shop in Kankakee IL, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly ranked school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Any Live Training Provided? Learning and perfecting barbering skills and techniques demands lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that make it possible for students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a Kankakee IL barber college furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but instead relies heavily on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for cultivating your skills. Therefore look for other schools that provide this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's essential that she or he gets help in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide assistance develop relationships with local businesses that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which Kankakee IL area shops and establishments they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? The majority of barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and learn 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 available to students too. If a school meets all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not omit it as an alternative before you find out what financial assistance may be provided in Kankakee IL.