What to Ask Barber Training Programs
Following is a list of questions that you will want to look into for any barber school you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your East Orange NJ residence, together with the price of tuition, will undoubtedly be your initial qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options 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. Following we have put together several of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the barber training program you enroll in 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable in East Orange NJ for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively 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 references from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly regarded. Check rating services for reviews along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with East Orange NJ barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. And finally, contact the New Jersey school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you select a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your ambition 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 start a barber shop in East Orange NJ, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly rated school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and mastering barbering techniques and abilities involves plenty of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber lessons you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a East Orange NJ barber school offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead relies predominantly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for cultivating your skills. So look for other schools that furnish this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's imperative that she or he gets aid in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer assistance maintain relationships with area employers that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and find out which East Orange NJ area shops and businesses they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Almost all barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you may 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 with the exception of expense, do not drop it as an option until you determine what financial aid may be available in East Orange NJ.