How to Pick the Right Barbering Training Near Altoona Iowa
Since you have decided to attend a barber school near Altoona IA, the task starts to locate and enroll in the ideal school. It's imperative that the program you select not only furnishes the necessary education for the specialty you have decided on, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your preliminary search, you might be rather puzzled about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are essentially interchangeable and both refer to the same type of school. We'll discuss a little bit more about that in the next section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Altoona residence. Tuition will additionally be a critical consideration when evaluating possible barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it's not necessarily the ideal choice. There are a number of other qualifications that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask regarding 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.
What to Ask Barbering Training Programs
Below is a series of questions that you will want to look into for any barber college you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Altoona IA residence, as well as the cost of tuition, will most likely be your primary qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have put together some of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber college you select is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified 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 may also be essential for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not obtainable in Altoona IA for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous 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 Great Reputation? Every barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly regarded. Check rating companies for reviews as well as the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Altoona IA barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. And last, consult the Iowa school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Many beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden 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 Altoona IA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Practicing and refining barbering skills and techniques requires lots of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a Altoona IA barber college provides limited or no scheduled live training, but rather relies mainly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for acquiring your skills. Therefore search for alternate schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a barber school, it's imperative that he or she gets support in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance develop relationships with area businesses that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which Altoona IA area shops and businesses they refer students to. Additionally, 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 respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Most barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students as well. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not discard it as an option before you find out what financial help may be provided in Altoona IA.
How to Train to Be a Barber in Altoona
Choose in the Right Altoona Barber School
Selecting and enrolling in the right barber school is imperative to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed technician. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel positive about your decision. Be sure to organize all of the information you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to compare schools. A good start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the institution and program you select are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the ideal choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to launch your career as a professional barber in Altoona Iowa.