How to Pick the Right Barber Training Near Kettering Ohio
Now that you have decided to attend a barber school near Kettering OH, the process starts to find and enroll in the ideal school. It's essential that the program you choose not only provides the necessary training for the specialty you have chosen, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you may be a little bit confused about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are essentially interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. We'll discuss a little bit more concerning that in the upcoming segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Kettering home. Tuition will additionally be a critical aspect when reviewing potential barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it's not necessarily the best choice. There are a number of other factors that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are thinking about 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?
Barbering, which is as old as America itself, is certainly a career steeped in tradition. Many of today’s barbers use the same equipment or tools, practice the same techniques, and retain the atmosphere of barber shops of long ago. In fact, not much has changed in barbering, as this profession is considered an art form that requires skill, training, a steady hand, and a sharp eye. As a barber, you get to specialize in the cutting, trimming, and styling of hair, mustaches, and beards. Barbers are the specialists in masculine style, providing facial, shaving, and hair-cutting services to men. The barber career choice has also seen a recent resurgence or rise in popularity. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of barbers is projected to grow 13 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations. If you’re passionate about beginning a career in the barber industry and are ready to blaze a path in this booming industry, then entering this particular field does require you to obtain specialized schooling.
What to Ask Barbering Training Programs
Following is a list of questions that you should investigate for any barber college you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Kettering OH residence, in addition to the cost of tuition, will probably 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 need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have compiled several of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's necessary to make certain that the barber college you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for securing student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered in Kettering OH for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Each barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating companies for reviews together with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Kettering OH barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. And last, check with the Ohio school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for instance 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 respected for that program. If your dream is to launch a barber shop in Kettering OH, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly ranked school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities requires lots of practice on volunteers. Check 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 real people. If a Kettering OH barber school provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the most effective alternative for acquiring your skills. Therefore look for alternate schools that provide this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's imperative that she or he gets support in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer aid develop relationships with local employers that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which Kettering OH area shops and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Almost all barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and identify 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 accessible to students also. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not omit it as an alternative before you determine what financial help may be available in Kettering OH.
How to Choose a Barber School in Kettering
Choose in the Best Kettering Barber School
Picking and enrolling in the right barber training program is imperative to get the proper training to become a licensed practitioner. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel confident about your decision. Make certain to collect all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on 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 choose are accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. If you start with that foundation, and answer the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are qualified to begin your career as a professional barber in Kettering Ohio.