How to Choose the Best Barber Training Near Lincoln Nebraska
Since you have decided to enroll in a barber school near Lincoln NE, the process begins to locate and enroll in the best school. It's essential that the program you choose not only furnishes the appropriate instruction for the specialty you have decided on, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your initial search, you might be a little bit confused about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are basically interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. We'll talk a little bit more about that in the following segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Lincoln home. Tuition will additionally be a critical aspect when evaluating potential barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it's not always the best choice. There are a number of other qualifications that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are thinking about later within this article. Before we do, let's discuss a bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.
Why Choose Barbering?
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.
What to Ask Barber Schools
Below is a series of questions that you will want to look into for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Lincoln NE residence, in addition to the price of tuition, will undoubtedly be your initial qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Following we have compiled several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make certain that the barber school you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified 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 quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable in Lincoln NE for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of employers will not employ 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 school that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly sought after. Check rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Lincoln NE barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the trade, 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. And last, contact the Nebraska school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you select a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your objective 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 Lincoln NE, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Practicing and mastering barbering skills and techniques requires plenty of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that make it possible for students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a Lincoln NE barber college furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but instead depends heavily on using mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for developing your skills. So look for alternate schools that furnish this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a barber school, it's essential that she or he gets aid in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish aid develop relationships with area employers that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and ask which Lincoln NE area shops and organizations they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Most barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are looking at 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 offered to students as well. If a school meets each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not omit it as an option until you find out what financial assistance may be available in Lincoln NE.
How to Train to Be a Barber in Lincoln
Choose in the Right Lincoln Barber College
Choosing and enrolling in the right barber school is important to receive the proper training to become a licensed specialist. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel certain about your decision. Make certain to collect all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that information to contrast schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the institution and program you pick are accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to launch your career as a professional barber in Lincoln Nebraska.