How to Select the Best Barbering Training Program Near Cascade Michigan
Since you have decided to attend a barber school near Cascade MI, the process begins to search for and enroll in the ideal school. It's imperative that the program you select not only provides the necessary education for the specialty you have decided on, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you may be a little bit unclear about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are essentially interchangeable and both pertain to the same kind of school. We'll discuss a little bit more about that in the next section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Cascade residence. Tuition will also be a critical aspect when evaluating prospective barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it's not always the ideal choice. There are several other factors that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are considering later in this article. Before we do, let's talk 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 Barbering Training Programs
Following 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 Cascade MI residence, as well as the expense of tuition, will most likely be your primary qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Following we have collected several of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential to make certain that the barber college you pick 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available in Cascade MI for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Every barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements 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. Visit rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Cascade MI barber shop owners or managers, or someone 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 thought of. Finally, contact the Michigan school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you select a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your objective is to be trained as a barber, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your dream is to open a barber shop in Cascade MI, then you need 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 provide the training you require.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and mastering barbering techniques and abilities demands plenty of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber courses you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that enable students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a Cascade MI barber school offers little or no scheduled live training, but rather relies mainly on using mannequins, it might not be the best option for cultivating your skills. Therefore search for other schools that furnish 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 support in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide aid develop relationships with area employers that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which Cascade MI area shops and businesses they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Many barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid office. Speak 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 available to students as well. If a school meets all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not eliminate it as an alternative until you determine what financial aid may be offered in Cascade MI.
How to Train to Be a Barber in Cascade
Choose in the Right Cascade Barber College
Picking and enrolling in the right barber training program is essential to obtain the proper training to become a licensed practitioner. 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 information you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that information to compare schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the school and program you pick are accredited and have impressive reputations within the profession. If you start with that foundation, and address the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are prepared to start your career as a professional barber in Cascade Michigan.