What to Ask Barber Training Programs
Below is a list of questions that you will want to look into for any barber college you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Grand Island NE home, in addition to the price of tuition, will probably be your primary qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Following we have compiled some of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential to make certain that the barber training program 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for securing student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in Grand Island NE for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Each barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly regarded. Check rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Grand Island NE barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to propose others that you had not looked into. Finally, consult the Nebraska school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you decide on a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your goal 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 desire is to start a barber shop in Grand Island NE, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and mastering barbering skills and techniques demands lots of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a Grand Island NE barber school provides little or no scheduled live training, but rather relies mainly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for cultivating your skills. So try to find alternate schools that provide this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a barber college, it's imperative that she or he receives aid in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish help develop relationships with local businesses that are searching for trained graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and find out which Grand Island NE area shops and establishments they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Most barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and learn 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 available to students too. If a school meets all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not omit it as an alternative until you find out what financial help may be offered in Grand Island NE.