What to Ask Barbering Training Programs
Following is a series of questions that you will want to investigate for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Kernersville NC home, together with the price of tuition, will probably be your initial 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 choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Following we have collected some of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make certain that the barber college you choose 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in Kernersville NC for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Any barber school 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 testimonials from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly regarded. Check rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Kernersville NC barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to propose others that you had not thought of. Finally, check with the North Carolina school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating 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 intention 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 open a barber shop in Kernersville NC, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Learning and refining barbering techniques and abilities demands plenty of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a Kernersville NC barber college provides limited or no scheduled live training, but rather depends predominantly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for developing your skills. Therefore look for other schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's crucial that he or she receives aid in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer help maintain relationships with area employers that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which Kernersville NC area shops and businesses they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Almost all barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Talk to 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 too. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not omit it as an alternative until you learn what financial aid may be offered in Kernersville NC.