What to Ask Barber Training Programs
Below is a series of questions that you should research for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Midland MI residence, as well as the price of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably 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 consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have compiled several of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the barber college you pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized 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 superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for getting student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in Midland MI for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Any barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good beginning. 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, signifying that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating services for reviews along with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Midland MI barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to propose others that you had not considered. And finally, check with the Michigan school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Many beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential 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 desire is to start a barber shop in Midland MI, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly ranked school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.
Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Learning and perfecting barbering skills and techniques involves lots of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a Midland MI barber school offers little or no scheduled live training, but rather depends predominantly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for acquiring your skills. Therefore search for alternate schools that furnish this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's important that she or he gets assistance in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide aid develop relationships with local employers that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which Midland MI area shops and businesses they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Almost all barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students also. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not drop it as an option until you find out what financial aid may be offered in Midland MI.