How to Find the Right Barber Training Program Near Lexington Fayette Kentucky

Since you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Lexington Fayette KY, the process begins to locate and enroll in the right school. It's important that the school you select not only furnishes the appropriate education for the specialty you have selected, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you may be rather confused about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are basically interchangeable and both relate to the same type of school. We'll speak a little bit more concerning that in the next section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Lexington Fayette residence. Tuition will additionally be an important factor when evaluating potential barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it's not always the best choice. There are various other qualifications that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are thinking about 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 Choose Barbering?

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 Barber Training Programs

Below is a series of questions that you will want to research for any barber college you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Lexington Fayette KY home, as well as the price of tuition, will probably be your initial qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn 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 must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have collected some of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final determination.

Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make certain that the barber college you pick 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 guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available in Lexington Fayette KY for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably 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 industry. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating companies for reviews together with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Lexington Fayette KY barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. And last, contact the Kentucky school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus?  Many beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you select a school that specializes in 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 start a barber shop in Lexington Fayette KY, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly ranked school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.

Is Plenty of Live Training Provided?  Learning and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities involves plenty of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a Lexington Fayette KY barber college provides limited or no scheduled live training, but instead relies predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the best option for acquiring your skills. So search for alternate schools that offer this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's imperative that she or he gets aid in securing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer assistance develop relationships with local businesses that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which Lexington Fayette KY area shops and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Assistance Offered?  Most barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students as well. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not discard it as an option until you learn what financial assistance may be available in Lexington Fayette KY.

How to Train to Be a Barber in Lexington Fayette

Choose in the Right Lexington Fayette Barber School

Finding and enrolling in the right barber school is important to receive the necessary training to become a licensed practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel positive about your decision. Make sure to compile all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that information to contrast schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the school and program you pick are accredited and have impressive reputations within the profession. If you begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the ideal choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are ready to begin your new career as a professional barber in Lexington Fayette Kentucky.

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