What to Ask Barber Training Programs
Below is a list of questions that you need to investigate for any barber school you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Princeton NJ home, as well as the cost of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have compiled several of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber training program 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in Princeton NJ for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Any barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Princeton NJ barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. And last, contact the New Jersey school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you pick a school that specializes in 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 aspiration is to start a barber shop in Princeton NJ, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Studying and mastering barbering techniques and abilities demands lots of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber classes 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 Princeton NJ barber school provides limited or no scheduled live training, but rather relies predominantly on using mannequins, it may not be the best option for acquiring your skills. So look for alternate schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's imperative that he or she receives aid in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide aid maintain relationships with local businesses that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which Princeton NJ area shops and establishments they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? The majority of barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out 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 belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students as well. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not drop it as an alternative before you learn what financial assistance may be available in Princeton NJ.