How to Select the Right Barber School Near Wilmington Massachusetts
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Wilmington MA, the process begins to find and enroll in the ideal school. It's important that the school you choose not only provides the proper instruction for the specialty you have decided on, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your initial search, you may be rather puzzled 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 kind of school. We'll discuss a little bit more about that in the following section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Wilmington residence. Tuition will also be a critical aspect when evaluating possible barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it's not necessarily the ideal option. There are a number of other factors that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are considering later in this article. Before we do, let's discuss 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.
What to Ask Barber Colleges
Below is a series of questions that you will want to look into for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Wilmington MA home, in addition to the price of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber training program. Following we have collected some of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important to make certain that the barber college you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available in Wilmington MA for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Each barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly regarded. Check rating companies for reviews as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Wilmington MA barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to propose others that you had not thought of. Finally, consult 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, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often 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 ambition 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 dream is to open a barber shop in Wilmington MA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly ranked school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and mastering barbering techniques and abilities requires plenty of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber lessons you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that enable students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a Wilmington MA barber college offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather relies mainly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for cultivating your skills. So try to find alternate schools that provide this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a barber school, it's imperative that she or he receives aid in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide aid develop relationships with area employers that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and ask which Wilmington MA area shops and organizations they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? The majority of barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and identify 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 as well. If a school meets all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not omit it as an option before you learn what financial help may be available in Wilmington MA.
How to Train in Barbering in Wilmington
Choose in the Right Wilmington Barber School
Selecting and enrolling in the ideal barber training program is imperative to get the proper training to become a licensed practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel confident about your decision. Make sure to compile all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that data to contrast schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the institution and program you choose are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you start with that base, and address the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are prepared to begin your new career as a professional barber in Wilmington Massachusetts.