How to Find the Best Barber Classes Near Asheville North Carolina
Since you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Asheville NC, the process begins to locate and enroll in the right school. It's imperative that the program you select not only provides the necessary training for the specialty you have decided on, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your preliminary search, you might be a little bit puzzled about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are essentially interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. We'll discuss a little bit more concerning that in the following section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Asheville home. Tuition will likewise be an important aspect when assessing possible barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it's not automatically the best option. There are a number of other factors that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are considering later within this article. Before we do, let's discuss a little bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.
Why Become a Barber?
Barbershops have always been a place for men to get their hair cut, socialize, and gab about everything from sports to stock tips. Although today some women visit barbershops and some men visit stylists and salons, the barbershop and its iconic red, white, and blue striped pole is still a cornerstone of male culture. If you’ve got an eye for style, a creative flair, and an appreciation for America’s unique barbershop culture, a career as a barber could be your calling. As a barber, you’ll cut, style, shape, and treat men’s hair, and sometimes women’s and children’s hair, too. You’ll give shaves and trim facial hair and sometimes perform neck and scalp massages. Like all specialists in the field of cosmetology, you’ll make a ritual out of maintaining your tools, station, and clients to the highest standards of hygiene and sanitization.
Questions to Ask Barbering Colleges
Below is a list of questions that you need to look into for any barber school you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Asheville NC home, together with the cost of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber school. Following we have collected some of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make certain that the barber training program you select 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 comply with their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for getting student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available in Asheville NC 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 employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Any barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Asheville NC barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. Finally, check with the North Carolina school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you choose 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 well regarded for that program. If your dream is to launch a barber shop in Asheville NC, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct 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 Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities demands lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a Asheville NC barber college provides limited or no scheduled live training, but rather relies predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for acquiring your skills. Therefore search for other schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's essential that she or he gets aid in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish aid develop relationships with area employers that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and find out which Asheville NC area shops and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Most barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students as well. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not drop it as an alternative before you determine what financial aid may be available in Asheville NC.
How to Train in Barbering in Asheville
Choose in the Best Asheville Barber College
Locating and enrolling in the ideal barber training program is imperative to obtain the appropriate training to become a licensed specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel certain about your decision. Be sure to consolidate all of the information you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to compare schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the college and program you select are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you start with that foundation, and answer the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to begin your new career as a professional barber in Asheville North Carolina.