How to Select the Best Barber Academy Near Concord North Carolina
Once you have decided to enroll in a barber school near Concord NC, the task starts to locate and enroll in the best school. It's essential that the program you select not only provides the proper instruction for the specialty you have chosen, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin 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 names are basically interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. We'll talk a bit more concerning that in the next segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Concord residence. Tuition will also be a critical factor when reviewing potential barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it's not always the right option. There are various other considerations that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are looking at later in this article. Before we do, let's discuss a bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.
Why Become a Barber?
Hairstyles are increasingly being considered by people to be a projection of their personalities. As a result, barbers are still very much in demand. However, most people are looking for trained professionals and will not just drop in on any local barber shop displaying a red, white and blue pole. Training to become a barber is a career move that offers many benefits for those that are both artistic and sociable. The artistic side is indulged by creating a plethora of different and sometimes challenging hairstyles. The social aspect obviously comes into play by keeping the customer engaged while creating your masterpiece. In fact, some barbers are so proud of their artistic accomplishments that they will take photos of their finished hairstyles and post them on their websites as a portfolio to attract new clients. And barbering lends itself to a more intimate form of customer service by providing time with the client while cutting his (or her) hair. This time spent together can lead to the development of a rapport or even a new friendship. As a result, many customers come back not only because they are pleased with the service, but also to enjoy the social amenities that their neighborhood barbershop can offer.
Questions to Ask Barbering Training Programs
Below is a series of questions that you will want to look into for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Concord NC home, as well as the expense of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have collected some of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the barber school 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to 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 Concord NC for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Each barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly regarded. Check rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Concord NC barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. And last, consult the North Carolina school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly expand 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 ambition 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 aspiration is to start a barber shop in Concord NC, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly ranked school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Any Live Training Provided? Practicing and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities involves lots of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that enable students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a Concord NC barber college offers little or no scheduled live training, but rather depends mainly on using mannequins, it may not be the most effective alternative for acquiring your skills. Therefore search for alternate schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's important that she or he gets aid in securing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide assistance maintain relationships with area businesses that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which Concord NC area shops and businesses they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? The majority of 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 may qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students too. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not omit it as an alternative until you determine what financial aid may be available in Concord NC.
How to Train in Barbering in Concord
Enroll in the Best Concord Barber School
Finding and enrolling in the ideal barber training program is imperative to get the appropriate training to become a licensed professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel confident about your decision. Don't forget to compile all of the information you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to contrast schools. A good start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the school and program you select are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. If you start with that foundation, and address the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to launch your career as a professional barber in Concord North Carolina.