Questions to Ask Barber Training Programs
Below is a list of questions that you should look into for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Berkeley NJ residence, together with the price of tuition, will undoubtedly be your primary qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue 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 even more factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have collected several of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the barber college you select 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for getting student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in Berkeley NJ for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Every barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting 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 Berkeley NJ barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. Finally, contact the New Jersey school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you pick a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your intention is to be trained as a barber, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your vision is to open a barber shop in Berkeley NJ, then you want 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? Studying and perfecting barbering skills and techniques demands lots of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that make it possible for students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a Berkeley NJ barber college furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but rather relies predominantly on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for cultivating your skills. Therefore look for other schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a barber school, it's imperative that he or she gets support in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish help maintain relationships with area businesses that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which Berkeley NJ area shops and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? The majority of barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and identify 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 also. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not eliminate it as an option until you determine what financial help may be available in Berkeley NJ.