Questions to Ask Barber Training Programs
Below is a series of questions that you will want to look into for any barber college you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Billings MT residence, together with the cost of tuition, will probably be your primary 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 choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Following we have put together some of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber school 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 measure up to their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered in Billings MT 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 may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Each barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly regarded. Check rating companies for reviews together with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Billings MT barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. And last, consult the Montana school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you enroll in a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your goal is to be trained as a barber, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your desire is to open a barber shop in Billings MT, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly ranked school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and refining barbering techniques and abilities involves plenty of practice on volunteers. Ask 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 allow students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a Billings MT barber college provides limited or no scheduled live training, but rather depends mainly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for developing your skills. Therefore look for alternate schools that provide this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's crucial 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 area employers that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which Billings MT area shops and establishments they refer students to. In addition, 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 regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? The majority of barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students too. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not eliminate it as an alternative before you learn what financial help may be available in Billings MT.