What to Ask Barber Training Programs
Below is a list of questions that you will want to research for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Hilliard OH home, as well as the price of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have compiled some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final determination.
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 organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for getting student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered in Hilliard OH for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous employers will not recruit 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 school that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating services for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Hilliard OH barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. And finally, check with the Ohio 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 Focus? Many beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden 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 respected for that program. If your aspiration is to start a barber shop in Hilliard OH, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct 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 Plenty of Live Training Provided? Practicing and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities requires plenty of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a Hilliard OH barber school furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead relies predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for cultivating your skills. Therefore look for other schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's important that she or he receives assistance in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance maintain relationships with area businesses that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and ask which Hilliard OH area shops and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? 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 find out what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school belongs to 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 except for expense, do not drop it as an option before you find out what financial assistance may be offered in Hilliard OH.