How to Enroll In the Right Barber School Near Holyoke Massachusetts
Since you have decided to enroll in a barber school near Holyoke MA, the process starts to locate and enroll in the right school. It's imperative that the program you choose not only provides the appropriate education for the specialty you have selected, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you might be somewhat puzzled about the difference 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 discuss a bit more about that in the following section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Holyoke residence. Tuition will also be an important factor when assessing potential barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it's not necessarily the best option. There are many other factors that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are considering later within this article. Before we do, let's discuss a 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 Training Programs
Below is a list of questions that you need to investigate for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Holyoke MA home, together with the cost of tuition, will probably be your primary qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have put together several of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber college you select is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for securing student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in Holyoke MA for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Every barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating services for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Holyoke MA barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the field, 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. And last, consult 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 Focus? Some beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you choose a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your intention is to be trained as a barber, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your desire is to open a barber shop in Holyoke MA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly rated school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and perfecting barbering skills and techniques demands lots of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a Holyoke MA barber school offers limited or no scheduled live training, but rather depends predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the best option for developing your skills. So search for other schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's essential that she or he gets aid in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide assistance maintain relationships with local businesses that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which Holyoke MA area shops and businesses they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? The majority of barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students also. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not drop it as an alternative before you learn what financial assistance may be available in Holyoke MA.
How to Choose a Barber College in Holyoke
Enroll in the Best Holyoke Barber School
Finding and enrolling in the ideal barber college is important to obtain the proper training to become a licensed specialist. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel certain about your decision. Make certain to organize all of the information you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to contrast schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the institution and program you choose are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, and answer the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the ideal choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to launch your career as a professional barber in Holyoke Massachusetts.