Questions to Ask Barbering Training Programs
Following is a series of questions that you need to investigate for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Hobbs NM home, together with the price of tuition, will most likely be your primary qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Following we have put together some of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make certain that the barber college you select 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered in Hobbs NM for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Each barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. 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, showing that their students are highly regarded. Check rating services for reviews together with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Hobbs NM barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. And last, contact the New Mexico 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 Specialty? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you choose a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your objective is to be trained as a barber, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your vision is to open a barber shop in Hobbs NM, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly regarded school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Learning and refining barbering skills and techniques involves plenty of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber courses you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that enable students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a Hobbs NM barber college offers little or no scheduled live training, but instead relies mainly on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for developing your skills. Therefore try to find alternate schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a barber college, it's important that he or she receives aid in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide aid maintain relationships with local businesses that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and ask which Hobbs NM area shops and establishments they refer students to. Also, 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? The majority of barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and find out 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 also. If a school meets each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not drop it as an alternative until you find out what financial aid may be provided in Hobbs NM.