What to Ask Barbering Training Programs
Below is a series of questions that you should research for any barber school you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Stillwater MN home, 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 reduced your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have collected several of those additional 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 school you pick 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available in Stillwater MN for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Any barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly sought after. Check rating services for reviews together with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Stillwater MN barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. And last, check with the Minnesota school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Many beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden 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 sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your aspiration is to start a barber shop in Stillwater MN, 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 poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.
Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Studying and perfecting barbering skills and techniques demands lots of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber classes you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that make it possible for students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a Stillwater MN barber school provides little or no scheduled live training, but rather depends heavily on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for cultivating your skills. So try to find alternate schools that provide this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's important that he or she gets aid in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide help maintain relationships with local employers that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which Stillwater MN area shops and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? The majority of barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid office. Talk to 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 accessible to students as well. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not omit it as an option until you find out what financial aid may be available in Stillwater MN.