What to Ask Barber Training Programs
Below is a list of questions that you should investigate for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Miamisburg OH residence, in addition to the price of tuition, will undoubtedly be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably 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 school. Following we have put together several of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential to make certain that the barber training program you pick 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 assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available in Miamisburg OH for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Each barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good beginning. 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. Visit rating companies for reviews together with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Miamisburg OH barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. And finally, 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 expansive in nature, concentrating on all facets 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 important that you select a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your goal 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 desire is to launch a barber shop in Miamisburg OH, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly ranked school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and perfecting barbering skills and techniques involves lots of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber classes you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that make it possible for students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a Miamisburg OH barber college provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead depends predominantly on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for cultivating your skills. So search for other schools that provide this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's imperative that he or she receives support in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide assistance develop relationships with local employers that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and ask which Miamisburg OH area shops and businesses they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Almost all 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. 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 meets all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not omit it as an alternative before you find out what financial help may be provided in Miamisburg OH.