How to Select the Right Barber Training Program Near Elkhart Indiana
Now that you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Elkhart IN, the task starts to locate and enroll in the right school. It's important that the program you pick not only furnishes the proper instruction for the specialty you have selected, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your preliminary search, you may be somewhat confused about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are pretty much interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. We'll talk a bit more about that in the upcoming section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Elkhart residence. Tuition will likewise be a critical aspect when reviewing potential barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it's not necessarily the right option. There are several other factors that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are looking at 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.
What to Ask Barbering Schools
Following is a series of questions that you should research for any barber school you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Elkhart IN home, as well as the expense of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish 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 preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber training program. Following we have put together several of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber training program you choose 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available in Elkhart IN for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in some 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 might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Any barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly regarded. Check rating services for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Elkhart IN barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to propose others that you had not considered. And finally, consult the Indiana school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you choose a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your ambition 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 Elkhart IN, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and perfecting barbering skills and techniques involves lots of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a Elkhart IN barber college offers little or no scheduled live training, but instead relies heavily on the use of mannequins, it may not be the most effective alternative for developing your skills. Therefore search for other schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a barber school, it's important that he or she gets help in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer assistance maintain relationships with local employers that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which Elkhart IN area shops and organizations they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? The majority of barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Consult 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 available to students also. If a school meets each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not discard it as an option until you determine what financial assistance may be offered in Elkhart IN.
How to Train to Be a Barber in Elkhart
Enroll in the Best Elkhart Barber School
Finding and enrolling in the right barber college is imperative to receive the proper training to become a licensed specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel certain about your decision. Make certain to compile all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that information to contrast schools. A good start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the college and program you pick are accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. If you start with that foundation, and answer the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to launch your career as a professional barber in Elkhart Indiana.