What to Ask Barbering Training Programs
Below is a series of questions that you will want to investigate for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Saco ME residence, in addition to the cost of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber college. Following we have collected several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber training program you enroll in 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available in Saco ME for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in some 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 an Excellent Reputation? Every barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly sought after. Check rating companies for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Saco ME barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. Finally, contact the Maine school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing 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 choose a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your objective 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 open a barber shop in Saco ME, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.
Is Any Live Training Provided? Learning and perfecting barbering skills and techniques involves lots of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber courses you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that enable students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a Saco ME barber college furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead relies heavily on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the best option for developing your skills. So try to find alternate schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's essential that she or he receives aid in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide aid develop relationships with area businesses that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which Saco ME area shops and organizations they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Almost all barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and identify 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 available to students too. If a school meets each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not drop it as an option until you determine what financial aid may be provided in Saco ME.