How to Find the Best Barber College Near Rockford Illinois

Since you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Rockford IL, the process begins to search for and enroll in the right school. It's important that the school you select not only furnishes the appropriate training for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you might be a little bit puzzled about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are basically interchangeable and both pertain to the same kind of school. We'll speak a little bit more regarding that in the upcoming segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Rockford home. Tuition will also be an important factor when assessing possible barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it's not necessarily the best choice. There are many other factors that you should weigh when comparing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are thinking about later in 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?

Barbering can be considered a subspecialty in the larger field of cosmetology. While cosmetologists train to work in hair, nails, skin, makeup, and overall beauty enhancement, barbers focus on cutting hair, almost exclusively men’s hair, and giving shaves and trimming facial hair. They might learn specialized techniques such as coloring and permanent waving like cosmetologists do, but it’s not essential. Barbers and cosmetologists also earn different licenses that specify which services they can legally perform. The first step to becoming a barber is to complete a barbering program. You might choose to enroll in a dedicated barber school or sign up for a barbering program in a cosmetology school that offers barbering as a specialty. Because states have different requirements for training and licensure, it is important to start by checking with your state cosmetology board.

Questions to Ask Barbering Colleges

Below is a list of questions that you will want to investigate for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Rockford IL residence, as well as the cost of tuition, will probably 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 reduced your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Following we have compiled some of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final decision.

Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make certain that the barber training program 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for getting student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in Rockford IL for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation?  Each barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly sought after. Check rating services for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Rockford IL barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. And finally, consult the Illinois school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus?  Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative 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 well regarded for that program. If your aspiration is to launch a barber shop in Rockford IL, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly rated school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you need.

Is Plenty of Live Training Provided?  Studying and mastering barbering techniques and abilities involves lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is included 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 developing talents on real people. If a Rockford IL barber college provides little or no scheduled live training, but rather relies mainly on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the most effective alternative for acquiring your skills. Therefore try to find alternate schools that furnish this type of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's essential that she or he gets aid in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance develop relationships with local employers that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which Rockford IL area shops and businesses they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Assistance Offered?  The majority of barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Consult 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 satisfies each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not omit it as an alternative before you determine what financial assistance may be provided in Rockford IL.

How to Train in Barbering in Rockford

Enroll in the Best Rockford Barber School

Picking and enrolling in the ideal barber training program is imperative to receive the proper training to become a licensed specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel confident about your decision. Make certain to compile all of the information you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to compare schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the school and program you pick are accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, and answer the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are ready to launch your new career as a professional barber in Rockford Illinois.

Rockford How To Become A Barber | Rockford Barbering Classes