How to Choose the Best Barber Academy Near Taunton Massachusetts
Since you have decided to enroll in a barber school near Taunton MA, the process begins to find and enroll in the best school. It's important that the school you choose not only provides the proper instruction for the specialty you have chosen, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your preliminary search, you might be somewhat unclear about the difference 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 bit more concerning that in the upcoming section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Taunton residence. Tuition will also be a critical factor when assessing prospective barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it's not automatically the ideal option. There are a number of other qualifications that you should weigh when analyzing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are looking at 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, 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
Following is a list of questions that you should investigate for any barber school you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Taunton MA residence, as well as the price 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 reduced your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have compiled some of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber training program you pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged 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 guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available in Taunton 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, many businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Every barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly demanded. Check rating companies for reviews together with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Taunton MA barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. And finally, contact the Massachusetts school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering 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 enroll in 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 respected for that program. If your vision is to launch a barber shop in Taunton MA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Practicing and perfecting barbering skills and techniques requires plenty of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber lessons you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a Taunton MA barber school furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but instead depends heavily on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the best option for developing your skills. So search for alternate schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a barber school, it's essential that he or she gets aid in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish help maintain relationships with area businesses that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which Taunton MA area shops and establishments they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? The majority of barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Talk to 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 available to students too. If a school meets each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not omit it as an option until you determine what financial assistance may be available in Taunton MA.
How to Choose a Barber School in Taunton
Enroll in the Best Taunton Barber College
Selecting and enrolling in the ideal barber training program is imperative to obtain the appropriate training to become a licensed professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel certain about your decision. Be 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 utilize that information to contrast schools. A good start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the school and program you choose are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you start with that base, and address the additional questions provided in this post, 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 prepared to launch your career as a professional barber in Taunton Massachusetts.