What to Ask Barbering Training Programs
Below is a list of questions that you should look into for any barber school you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Londonderry NH home, as well as the price of tuition, will undoubtedly be your primary qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have collected some of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber college you pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for getting student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in Londonderry NH for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Every barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Verify 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 contacts with Londonderry NH barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. And finally, consult the New Hampshire school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive 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 often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you choose a school that focuses on 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 well regarded for that program. If your vision is to open a barber shop in Londonderry NH, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly regarded school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Practicing and refining barbering skills and techniques involves lots of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber courses you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a Londonderry NH barber school offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends mainly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for cultivating your skills. So look for other schools that provide this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a barber school, it's essential that he or she gets support in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer help maintain relationships with local businesses that are searching for trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and ask which Londonderry NH area shops and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? The majority of barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students as well. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not eliminate it as an option before you find out what financial help may be available in Londonderry NH.