How to Pick the Best Barber Training Program Near Sudbury Massachusetts
Now that you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Sudbury MA, the task begins to search for and enroll in the right school. It's important that the school you choose not only provides the necessary training for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you may be somewhat puzzled about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are basically interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. We'll speak a little bit more about that in the next segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Sudbury residence. Tuition will likewise be an important aspect when assessing prospective barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it's not necessarily the best option. There are many other factors that you should weigh when reviewing 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 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.
What to Ask Barbering Colleges
Below is a list of questions that you need to look into for any barber school you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Sudbury MA residence, together with the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly be your initial qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue 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 must research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have compiled several of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's necessary to make certain that the barber college you pick 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 meet their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in Sudbury MA for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Each barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly regarded. Check rating services for reviews together with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Sudbury MA barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. And finally, contact the Massachusetts school licensing authority to find out 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, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering 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 decide on a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your goal is to be trained as a barber, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your desire is to open a barber shop in Sudbury MA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly ranked school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Any Live Training Provided? Practicing and mastering barbering techniques and abilities involves plenty of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber courses you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that enable students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a Sudbury MA barber school provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather relies mainly on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for developing your skills. So look for other schools that provide this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's essential that he or she gets assistance in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide assistance develop relationships with local employers that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which Sudbury MA area shops and businesses they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? The majority of barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask 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 qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students also. If a school meets each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not omit it as an option before you determine what financial assistance may be available in Sudbury MA.
How to Become a Barber in Sudbury
Enroll in the Best Sudbury Barber College
Finding and enrolling in the right barber school is important to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed practitioner. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel positive about your decision. Make sure to consolidate all of the responses you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to compare schools. A good start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the institution and program you decide on are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions provided in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are ready to launch your new career as a professional barber in Sudbury Massachusetts.