How to Choose the Right Barbering Academy Near Westfield Massachusetts
Once you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Westfield MA, the task begins to locate and enroll in the ideal school. It's imperative that the program you pick not only provides the appropriate training for the specialty you have chosen, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your preliminary 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 names are basically interchangeable and both refer to the same type of school. We'll speak a bit more concerning that in the upcoming segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Westfield residence. Tuition will additionally be an important consideration when evaluating prospective barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it's not automatically the ideal option. There are a number of other factors that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are thinking about later within this article. Before we do, let's discuss a bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.
Why Choose Barbering?
Barbering is an art form, according to many, so it’s no surprise that individuals interested in becoming a barber must become authorities before they can command a barber’s chair. And one of the best and most effective ways to do so is through a comprehensive educational program. Since the early 1880s, barbering has been a tradition among men. Visiting the barber shop was often a weekly occasion, where a shave and a cut, and a little socialization among friends, were as popular as a trip to the local saloon. The barber experience still lives on, and many say it is even making a comeback as men realize the value of a great cut and a close shave. Today’s barbers must be able to deliver the highest quality services to their clients, services that cannot be found at a local mall hair salon or a unisex discount salon. Therefore, a solid education, complete with plenty of hands-on training, is a must. It is also a must for licensure, a requirement in every state. Although some states do recognize an apprenticeship as a route to licensure, all states recognize an accredited program.
What to Ask Barber Schools
Below is a series of questions that you should look into for any barber school you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Westfield MA residence, as well as the price of tuition, will undoubtedly be your primary qualifiers. Whether you wish 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 additional factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Following we have collected several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final selection.
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 certified local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered in Westfield 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, a number of employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Every barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating services for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Westfield MA barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. And 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 expansive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you choose a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your intention 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 start a barber shop in Westfield MA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly rated school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities involves plenty of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a Westfield MA barber college provides limited or no scheduled live training, but rather depends mainly on using mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for developing your skills. So try to find other 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 she or he gets help in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide aid maintain relationships with local employers that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and ask which Westfield MA area shops and businesses they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify 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 offer 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 might get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students as well. If a school meets all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not discard it as an option before you learn what financial assistance may be offered in Westfield MA.
How to Choose a Barber College in Westfield
Choose in the Best Westfield Barber College
Choosing and enrolling in the ideal barber training program is imperative to get the appropriate training to become a licensed technician. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel positive about your decision. Don't forget to organize all of the information you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to compare schools. A good start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the school and program you pick are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the profession. If you begin with that foundation, and answer the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the ideal choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to launch your new career as a professional barber in Westfield Massachusetts.