Questions to Ask Barber Training Programs
Following is a list of questions that you should investigate for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Lima OH residence, as well as the price of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue 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 even more factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have compiled several of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber school you enroll in 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in Lima 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, numerous employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Each barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Lima OH barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar 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 total compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Some beauty 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 typically expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you pick a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your ambition is to be trained as a barber, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your vision is to start a barber shop in Lima OH, 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 poor program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Studying and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities involves lots of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber lessons you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that enable students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a Lima OH barber school offers limited or no scheduled live training, but rather depends heavily on the use of mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for acquiring your skills. Therefore look for other schools that furnish this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a barber college, it's important that he or she gets help in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer aid maintain relationships with local businesses that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which Lima OH area shops and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Most barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students too. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not drop it as an alternative before you determine what financial help may be available in Lima OH.