How to Select the Right Barbering Academy Near Pittsfield Massachusetts

Since you have decided to enroll in a barber school near Pittsfield MA, the task begins to locate and enroll in the best school. It's imperative that the school you select not only furnishes the appropriate education for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your preliminary search, you might 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 pretty much interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. We'll talk a little bit more about that in the upcoming segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Pittsfield home. Tuition will also be an important aspect when assessing potential barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it's not automatically the ideal choice. There are a number of other factors that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are considering later in 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 can be considered a subspecialty in the larger field of cosmetology. While cosmetologists train to work in hair, nails, skin, makeup, and overall beauty enhancement, barbers focus on cutting hair, almost exclusively men’s hair, and giving shaves and trimming facial hair. They might learn specialized techniques such as coloring and permanent waving like cosmetologists do, but it’s not essential. Barbers and cosmetologists also earn different licenses that specify which services they can legally perform. The first step to becoming a barber is to complete a barbering program. You might choose to enroll in a dedicated barber school or sign up for a barbering program in a cosmetology school that offers barbering as a specialty. Because states have different requirements for training and licensure, it is important to start by checking with your state cosmetology board.

What to Ask Barbering Training Programs

Following is a series of questions that you should research for any barber school you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Pittsfield MA home, in addition to the cost of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt 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 need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Following we have collected some of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final determination.

Is the Barber College Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the barber training program you enroll in 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 assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for securing student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in Pittsfield MA for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have an Excellent Reputation?  Any barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly regarded. Check rating companies for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Pittsfield MA barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. And last, check with the Massachusetts school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus?  Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you choose a school that focuses on 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 well regarded for that program. If your vision is to start a barber shop in Pittsfield MA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly regarded school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.

Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided?  Studying and mastering barbering skills and techniques requires plenty of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that make it possible for students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a Pittsfield MA barber college furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather relies heavily on using mannequins, it might not be the best option for cultivating your skills. Therefore try to find other schools that furnish this type of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's imperative that he or she receives aid in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide aid maintain relationships with local businesses that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which Pittsfield MA area shops and organizations they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Aid Available?  Almost all barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students as well. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not drop it as an alternative before you determine what financial aid may be offered in Pittsfield MA.

How to Choose a Barber College in Pittsfield

Choose in the Best Pittsfield Barber School

Locating and enrolling in the ideal barber college is essential to get the proper training to become a licensed technician. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel confident about your decision. Make sure to organize all of the responses you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that data to contrast schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the school and program you decide on are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the profession. If you start 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 right choice. And when 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 Pittsfield Massachusetts.

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