How to Pick the Right Barber Training Program Near Chelsea Massachusetts
Since you have decided to enroll in a barber school near Chelsea MA, the task begins to locate and enroll in the right school. It's imperative that the school you select not only provides the appropriate instruction for the specialty you have chosen, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your preliminary search, you may be rather puzzled about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are essentially interchangeable and both refer to the same type of school. We'll talk a little bit more about that in the upcoming section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Chelsea home. Tuition will likewise be an important consideration when reviewing possible barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it's not necessarily the right choice. There are several other qualifications that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are considering later within 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, which is as old as America itself, is certainly a career steeped in tradition. Many of today’s barbers use the same equipment or tools, practice the same techniques, and retain the atmosphere of barber shops of long ago. In fact, not much has changed in barbering, as this profession is considered an art form that requires skill, training, a steady hand, and a sharp eye. As a barber, you get to specialize in the cutting, trimming, and styling of hair, mustaches, and beards. Barbers are the specialists in masculine style, providing facial, shaving, and hair-cutting services to men. The barber career choice has also seen a recent resurgence or rise in popularity. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of barbers is projected to grow 13 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations. If you’re passionate about beginning a career in the barber industry and are ready to blaze a path in this booming industry, then entering this particular field does require you to obtain specialized schooling.
Questions to Ask Barber Schools
Following is a series of questions that you need to look into for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Chelsea MA home, together with the price of tuition, will undoubtedly be your initial qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced 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 college. Below we have compiled some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make certain that the barber school you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable in Chelsea MA for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Each barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating services for reviews along with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Chelsea MA barber shop owners or managers, or someone 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 considered. Finally, check with the Massachusetts school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you select a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your ambition 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 start a barber shop in Chelsea MA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Practicing and refining barbering techniques and abilities requires plenty of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber courses you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a Chelsea MA barber college offers little or no scheduled live training, but rather relies heavily on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best option for cultivating your skills. Therefore try to find other schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's imperative that he or she receives assistance in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide aid maintain relationships with area businesses that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which Chelsea MA area shops and businesses they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? The majority of barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students as well. If a school meets each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not eliminate it as an alternative before you determine what financial assistance may be provided in Chelsea MA.
How to Choose a Barber School in Chelsea
Enroll in the Right Chelsea Barber College
Selecting and enrolling in the right barber training program is essential to receive the necessary training to become a licensed technician. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel confident about your decision. Make sure to collect 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 contrast schools. A sensible start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the school and program you select are accredited and have impressive reputations within the profession. If you start with that base, and answer the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are ready to launch your new career as a professional barber in Chelsea Massachusetts.