How to Find the Best Barbering School Near Statesville North Carolina
Now that you have decided to attend a barber school near Statesville NC, the process starts to locate and enroll in the right school. It's imperative that the school you pick not only furnishes the appropriate education for the specialty you have chosen, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you might be rather 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 type of school. We'll speak a bit more regarding that in the next section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Statesville residence. Tuition will also be an important factor when assessing potential barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it's not necessarily the right option. There are several other qualifications that you should evaluate when reviewing 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 bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.
Why Choose Barbering?
Barbering is an art form, according to many, so it’s no surprise that individuals interested in becoming a barber must become authorities before they can command a barber’s chair. And one of the best and most effective ways to do so is through a comprehensive educational program. Since the early 1880s, barbering has been a tradition among men. Visiting the barber shop was often a weekly occasion, where a shave and a cut, and a little socialization among friends, were as popular as a trip to the local saloon. The barber experience still lives on, and many say it is even making a comeback as men realize the value of a great cut and a close shave. Today’s barbers must be able to deliver the highest quality services to their clients, services that cannot be found at a local mall hair salon or a unisex discount salon. Therefore, a solid education, complete with plenty of hands-on training, is a must. It is also a must for licensure, a requirement in every state. Although some states do recognize an apprenticeship as a route to licensure, all states recognize an accredited program.
What to Ask Barbering Training Programs
Following is a list of questions that you should look into for any barber school you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Statesville NC residence, together with the price of tuition, will probably be your primary qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have collected several of those additional 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 school you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national organization, 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 essential for getting student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered in Statesville NC for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Any barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly regarded. Check rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Statesville NC barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. And finally, consult the North Carolina school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating 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 enroll in a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your objective 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 aspiration is to start a barber shop in Statesville NC, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly ranked school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Learning and mastering barbering techniques and abilities involves plenty of practice on people. Check 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 make it possible for students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a Statesville NC barber college provides limited or no scheduled live training, but rather relies heavily on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for acquiring your skills. So search for other schools that furnish this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's important that she or he receives help in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish aid develop relationships with area businesses that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and find out which Statesville NC area shops and businesses they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have broad 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. Ask if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students as well. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not discard it as an option before you learn what financial assistance may be available in Statesville NC.
How to Train to Be a Barber in Statesville
Choose in the Best Statesville Barber College
Locating and enrolling in the right barber training program is important to get the necessary training to become a licensed professional. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel certain about your decision. Don't forget to organize all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to compare schools. A good start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the college and program you pick are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you start with that foundation, and answer the additional questions provided in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are ready to start your career as a professional barber in Statesville North Carolina.