What to Ask Barbering Training Programs
Below is a list of questions that you need to research for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Barnstable Town MA home, as well as the expense of tuition, will probably be your initial qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably 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 should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber school. Following we have collected some of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber training program 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in Barnstable Town MA for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Any barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly demanded. Check rating companies for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Barnstable Town MA barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the industry, 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 looked into. And last, contact the Massachusetts school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you choose a school that focuses on 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 aspiration is to launch a barber shop in Barnstable Town MA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly ranked school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and mastering barbering techniques and abilities requires lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber classes you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that make it possible for students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a Barnstable Town MA barber school provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather relies mainly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the best option for cultivating your skills. Therefore search for alternate schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's important that he or she receives help in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide help develop relationships with local employers that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and ask which Barnstable Town MA 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 broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Most barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students also. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not discard it as an alternative until you find out what financial assistance may be offered in Barnstable Town MA.