How to Select the Best Barber Academy Near North Andover Massachusetts

Since you have decided to enroll in a barber school near North Andover MA, the process begins to locate and enroll in the right school. It's important that the school you pick not only provides the proper education for the specialty you have chosen, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you may be a little bit unclear about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are pretty much interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. We'll speak a little bit more regarding that in the upcoming section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your North Andover residence. Tuition will also be an important factor when reviewing possible barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it's not always the right option. There are several other qualifications that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are considering later in this article. Before we do, let's talk 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 Barbering Schools

Below is a list of questions that you should research for any barber college you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your North Andover MA home, as well as the price of tuition, will probably be your initial qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have compiled several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final decision.

Is the Barber College Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the barber training program you select 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not obtainable in North Andover MA for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation?  Every barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have referred 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 agencies. If you have any connections with North Andover MA barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. And finally, consult the Massachusetts school licensing authority to find out 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, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you select 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 vision is to launch a barber shop in North Andover MA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.

Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided?  Learning and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities involves plenty of practice on people. Check 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 skills on real people. If a North Andover MA barber school provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead relies mainly on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for cultivating your skills. So search for alternate schools that provide this type of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's essential that she or he receives assistance in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide help develop relationships with area employers that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which North Andover MA area shops and organizations they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Aid Offered?  Many barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid office. Talk to 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 too. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not drop it as an alternative before you find out what financial aid may be offered in North Andover MA.

How to Train to Be a Barber in North Andover

Enroll in the Best North Andover Barber College

Picking and enrolling in the ideal barber training program is important to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel certain about your decision. Make certain to consolidate all of the information you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that information to compare schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the institution and program you choose are accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, and address the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to begin your new career as a professional barber in North Andover Massachusetts.

North Andover Barbering Colleges | North Andover Schools For Barbering