How to Find the Right Barber Course Near West Bloomfield Michigan

Now that you have made a decision to attend a barber school near West Bloomfield MI, the task starts to search for and enroll in the best school. It's essential that the school you pick not only furnishes the appropriate education for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your preliminary search, you might 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 kind of school. We'll talk a little bit more about that in the next segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your West Bloomfield residence. Tuition will also be a critical consideration when assessing potential barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it's not necessarily the right option. There are several other factors that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are looking at later within this article. Before we do, let's talk a 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.

Questions to Ask Barber Colleges

Below is a series of questions that you should investigate for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your West Bloomfield MI residence, together with the cost of tuition, will probably be your initial qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have put together several of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final determination.

Is the Barber College Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the barber training program you pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in West Bloomfield MI for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous employers will not recruit 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 evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. 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, indicating that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with West Bloomfield MI barber shop owners or managers, or anyone 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. Finally, contact the Michigan school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus?  Some beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you select a school that specializes in 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 West Bloomfield MI, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly ranked school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.

Is Any Live Training Provided?  Studying and refining barbering techniques and abilities requires lots of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that enable students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a West Bloomfield MI barber college furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but rather depends heavily on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for developing your skills. Therefore search for other schools that offer this type of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  When a student graduates from a barber college, it's important that she or he receives aid in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish aid maintain relationships with area businesses that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which West Bloomfield MI area shops and establishments they refer students to. Also, 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 reviewing have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and find out 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 accessible to students also. If a school meets each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not omit it as an option until you learn what financial assistance may be provided in West Bloomfield MI.

How to Choose a Barber School in West Bloomfield

Enroll in the Best West Bloomfield Barber School

Selecting and enrolling in the ideal barber training program is essential to obtain the appropriate training to become a licensed professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel positive about your decision. Make certain to collect all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that information to contrast schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the college 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 narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are prepared to start your career as a professional barber in West Bloomfield Michigan.

West Bloomfield Barbering Training | West Bloomfield College Of Barbering