How to Select the Right Barber Training Program Near Portsmouth New Hampshire
Since you have decided to attend a barber school near Portsmouth NH, the task starts to search for and enroll in the best school. It's imperative that the program you choose not only furnishes the proper education for the specialty you have decided on, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you might be rather puzzled about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are essentially interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. We'll speak a little bit more about that in the upcoming segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Portsmouth residence. Tuition will likewise be a critical aspect when assessing prospective barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it's not necessarily the right option. There are many other qualifications that you should weigh when reviewing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are considering later within this article. Before we do, let's talk a bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.
Why Become a Barber?
Barbering is an art form, according to many, so it’s no surprise that individuals interested in becoming a barber must become authorities before they can command a barber’s chair. And one of the best and most effective ways to do so is through a comprehensive educational program. Since the early 1880s, barbering has been a tradition among men. Visiting the barber shop was often a weekly occasion, where a shave and a cut, and a little socialization among friends, were as popular as a trip to the local saloon. The barber experience still lives on, and many say it is even making a comeback as men realize the value of a great cut and a close shave. Today’s barbers must be able to deliver the highest quality services to their clients, services that cannot be found at a local mall hair salon or a unisex discount salon. Therefore, a solid education, complete with plenty of hands-on training, is a must. It is also a must for licensure, a requirement in every state. Although some states do recognize an apprenticeship as a route to licensure, all states recognize an accredited program.
Questions to Ask Barbering 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 already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Portsmouth NH residence, in addition to the price of tuition, will most likely be your initial qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue 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 should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber school. Following we have collected several of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make certain that the barber training program you choose 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available in Portsmouth NH for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Each barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly demanded. Check rating companies for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Portsmouth NH barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. Finally, contact the New Hampshire school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently 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 certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your dream is to start a barber shop in Portsmouth NH, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly ranked school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Studying and mastering barbering skills and techniques requires plenty of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a Portsmouth NH barber school furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but instead depends predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the best option for cultivating your skills. Therefore search for other schools that provide this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a barber college, it's important that she or he gets aid in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide assistance develop relationships with area employers that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which Portsmouth NH area shops and businesses they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Many barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students as well. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not eliminate it as an alternative before you find out what financial aid may be provided in Portsmouth NH.
How to Choose a Barber College in Portsmouth
Enroll in the Right Portsmouth Barber College
Locating and enrolling in the ideal barber college is important to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel positive about your decision. Be sure to collect all of the responses you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to contrast schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the institution and program you select are accredited and have impressive reputations within the profession. If you begin with that base, and answer the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to launch your new career as a professional barber in Portsmouth New Hampshire.