How to Choose the Best Barbering School Near Pembroke Massachusetts
Now that you have decided to enroll in a barber school near Pembroke MA, the task begins to search for and enroll in the right school. It's essential that the program you pick not only furnishes the necessary instruction for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your initial search, you may be a little bit puzzled about the distinction 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 refer to the same kind of school. We'll talk a little bit more concerning that in the upcoming segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Pembroke home. Tuition will additionally be a critical factor when reviewing possible barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it's not always the right option. There are several other factors that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask concerning 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 Choose Barbering?
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.
What to Ask Barbering Training Programs
Below is a series of questions that you should research for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Pembroke MA home, in addition to the expense of tuition, will most likely 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 choices based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber college. Following we have collected some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final decision.
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 organization, 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 quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in Pembroke MA for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Each barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating services for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Pembroke MA barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. Finally, check with the Massachusetts school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly 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 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 open a barber shop in Pembroke MA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly ranked school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities requires lots of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a Pembroke MA barber college offers limited or no scheduled live training, but instead relies predominantly on using mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for acquiring your skills. Therefore try to find alternate schools that provide this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a barber college, it's crucial that she or he receives assistance in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance develop relationships with area employers that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which Pembroke MA area shops and establishments they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance 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 office. Speak with 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 offered to students as well. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not eliminate it as an option until you find out what financial aid may be available in Pembroke MA.
How to Choose a Barber College in Pembroke
Choose in the Right Pembroke Barber School
Picking and enrolling in the ideal barber training program is important to get the proper training to become a licensed practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel confident about your decision. Make certain to compile all of the information you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that data to compare schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the school and program you pick are accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. If you start with that foundation, and address the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the ideal choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are ready to start your new career as a professional barber in Pembroke Massachusetts.