What to Ask Barber Training Programs
Following is a series of questions that you need to investigate for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Vernon Hills IL residence, together with the price of tuition, will probably be your primary qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Following we have put together several of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the barber training program you pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in Vernon Hills IL for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of employers 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 evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly demanded. Check rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Vernon Hills IL barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to propose others that you had not considered. And last, contact the Illinois school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly 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 goal 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 open a barber shop in Vernon Hills IL, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly ranked school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Any Live Training Provided? Studying and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities requires plenty of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber courses you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that make it possible for students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a Vernon Hills IL barber school provides little or no scheduled live training, but rather depends heavily on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for developing your skills. So try to find other schools that provide this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's important that she or he receives help in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide help develop relationships with area businesses that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which Vernon Hills IL area shops and businesses they refer students to. Also, find out 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? Many barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you might 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 expense, do not eliminate it as an alternative before you find out what financial assistance may be available in Vernon Hills IL.