What to Ask Barber Training Programs
Below is a list of questions that you should look into for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Westfield MA residence, together with the price of tuition, will probably be your primary qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have put together several 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 certain that the barber training program you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in Westfield 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, a number of 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? Any barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting 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 Westfield MA barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to propose others that you had not looked into. And finally, check with the Massachusetts school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you decide on a school that specializes in 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 well regarded for that program. If your aspiration is to open a barber shop in Westfield 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 poor program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Practicing and perfecting barbering skills and techniques requires plenty of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a Westfield MA barber college provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead depends heavily on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the most effective alternative for acquiring your skills. So search for other schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a barber school, it's important that he or she receives help in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide aid maintain relationships with local businesses that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and find out which Westfield MA area shops and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, 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? Almost all barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students too. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not omit it as an alternative before you find out what financial aid may be available in Westfield MA.