How to Pick the Right Barber School Near Gloucester Massachusetts

Since you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Gloucester MA, the task begins to search for and enroll in the best school. It's imperative that the school you choose not only furnishes the appropriate instruction for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your preliminary search, you may be rather puzzled 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 discuss a bit more about that in the upcoming segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Gloucester home. Tuition will additionally be a critical consideration when assessing potential barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it's not always the best choice. There are several other considerations that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are thinking about 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?

Hairstyles are increasingly being considered by people to be a projection of their personalities.  As a result, barbers are still very much in demand. However, most people are looking for trained professionals and will not just drop in on any local barber shop displaying a red, white and blue pole. Training to become a barber is a career move that offers many benefits for those that are both artistic and sociable.  The artistic side is indulged by creating a plethora of different and sometimes challenging hairstyles. The social aspect obviously comes into play by keeping the customer engaged while creating your masterpiece. In fact, some barbers are so proud of their artistic accomplishments that they will take photos of their finished hairstyles and post them on their websites as a portfolio to attract new clients.  And barbering lends itself to a more intimate form of customer service by providing time with the client while cutting his (or her) hair.  This time spent together can lead to the development of a rapport or even a new friendship. As a result, many customers come back not only because they are pleased with the service, but also to enjoy the social amenities that their neighborhood barbershop can offer.

Questions to Ask Barber Training Programs

Following is a series of questions that you will want to research for any barber college you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Gloucester MA home, in addition to the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish 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 must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have put together some of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final determination.

Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber training program you select is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized 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 ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for getting student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered in Gloucester 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 employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably 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 exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Gloucester MA barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. And finally, check with 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 comprehensive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you enroll in 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 dream is to start a barber shop in Gloucester MA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly regarded school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you need.

Is Any Hands-On Training Provided?  Practicing and perfecting barbering skills and techniques requires plenty of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that enable students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a Gloucester MA barber college provides limited or no scheduled live training, but rather depends predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the best option for cultivating your skills. So search for alternate schools that furnish this type of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's important that she or he receives assistance in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer assistance develop relationships with local employers that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and ask which Gloucester MA area shops and businesses they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Aid Available?  Almost all barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students too. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not drop it as an option until you determine what financial help may be provided in Gloucester MA.

How to Train to Be a Barber in Gloucester

Enroll in the Right Gloucester Barber School

Finding and enrolling in the right barber college is important to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed technician. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel certain about your decision. Make sure to compile all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on 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 sure that the school and program you pick are accredited and have impressive reputations within the profession. If you start with that foundation, and address the additional questions provided in this article, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are ready to begin your career as a professional barber in Gloucester Massachusetts.

Gloucester Barber Colleges | Gloucester How To Become A Barber