What to Ask Barbering Training Programs
Following is a series of questions that you will want to research for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Old Bridge NJ home, together with the cost of tuition, will probably 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 choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have put together several of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's essential to make certain that the barber college you pick 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered in Old Bridge NJ for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Every barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Confirm 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 organizations. If you have any connections with Old Bridge NJ 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 recommend others that you had not thought of. And last, consult the New Jersey school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Many beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you decide on a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your goal is to be trained as a barber, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your desire is to open a barber shop in Old Bridge NJ, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.
Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Learning and refining barbering skills and techniques involves plenty of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber lessons you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a Old Bridge NJ barber school furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but instead relies predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for cultivating your skills. Therefore search for other schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's important that she or he gets assistance in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish aid develop relationships with area businesses that are searching for trained graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which Old Bridge NJ area shops and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Almost all barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students too. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not discard it as an option before you determine what financial assistance may be provided in Old Bridge NJ.