Questions to Ask Barbering Training Programs
Below is a series of questions that you should research for any barber college you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your North Hempstead NY residence, in addition to the expense of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have compiled some of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's essential to make certain that the barber school you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for getting student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in North Hempstead NY for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Any barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly demanded. Check rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with North Hempstead NY barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the business, 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. Finally, contact the New York school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you choose a school that focuses on 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 well regarded for that program. If your dream is to start a barber shop in North Hempstead NY, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly regarded school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.
Is Any Live Training Provided? Learning and mastering barbering techniques and abilities requires lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber lessons you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that enable students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a North Hempstead NY barber school furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but rather depends predominantly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for acquiring your skills. So try to find alternate schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's essential that he or she receives help in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish help maintain relationships with local businesses that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which North Hempstead NY area shops and businesses they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Many barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you might qualify 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 except for expense, do not eliminate it as an alternative until you find out what financial help may be offered in North Hempstead NY.