How to Enroll In the Right Barbering Training Near Attleboro Massachusetts
Since you have decided to attend a barber school near Attleboro MA, the process begins to search for and enroll in the right school. It's important that the school you choose not only provides the necessary instruction for the specialty you have selected, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your preliminary search, you may be somewhat unclear about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are essentially interchangeable and both pertain to the same kind of school. We'll speak a little bit more regarding that in the following section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Attleboro residence. Tuition will also be a critical factor when assessing potential barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it's not necessarily the right choice. There are several other qualifications that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are considering 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 is an art form, according to many, so it’s no surprise that individuals interested in becoming a barber must become authorities before they can command a barber’s chair. And one of the best and most effective ways to do so is through a comprehensive educational program. Since the early 1880s, barbering has been a tradition among men. Visiting the barber shop was often a weekly occasion, where a shave and a cut, and a little socialization among friends, were as popular as a trip to the local saloon. The barber experience still lives on, and many say it is even making a comeback as men realize the value of a great cut and a close shave. Today’s barbers must be able to deliver the highest quality services to their clients, services that cannot be found at a local mall hair salon or a unisex discount salon. Therefore, a solid education, complete with plenty of hands-on training, is a must. It is also a must for licensure, a requirement in every state. Although some states do recognize an apprenticeship as a route to licensure, all states recognize an accredited program.
Questions to Ask Barber Training Programs
Following is a series of questions that you need to investigate for any barber college you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Attleboro MA home, as well as the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly be your initial qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have compiled some of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the barber school 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 measure up to their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in Attleboro MA 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 employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Any barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding 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, attesting that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating services for reviews along with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Attleboro MA barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. And last, check with the Massachusetts 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 Specialty? Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often expand 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 sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your vision is to launch a barber shop in Attleboro MA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Studying and mastering barbering skills and techniques requires plenty of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber courses you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a Attleboro MA barber school furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for developing your skills. Therefore look for alternate schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a barber school, it's essential that she or he receives help in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide aid develop relationships with local businesses that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which Attleboro MA area shops and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify 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 reviewing have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students too. If a school meets each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not drop it as an alternative until you learn what financial help may be provided in Attleboro MA.
How to Choose a Barber College in Attleboro
Enroll in the Right Attleboro Barber School
Picking and enrolling in the right barber college is important to obtain the proper training to become a licensed professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel certain about your decision. Make certain to consolidate 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 compare schools. A sensible start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the institution and program you select are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you start with that foundation, and answer the additional questions provided in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are ready to launch your new career as a professional barber in Attleboro Massachusetts.