What to Ask Barbering Training Programs
Below is a series of questions that you need to investigate for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Perrysburg OH home, in addition to the price of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn 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 even more factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have collected some of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber training program 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in Perrysburg OH for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Any barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Perrysburg OH barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. And finally, check with the Ohio school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive 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 expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you select a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your goal is to be trained as a barber, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your dream is to launch a barber shop in Perrysburg OH, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and refining barbering skills and techniques demands plenty of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber courses you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a Perrysburg OH barber school provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead depends heavily on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for acquiring your skills. So search for other schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a barber school, it's imperative that he or she gets support in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish help develop relationships with local employers that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which Perrysburg OH area shops and businesses they refer students to. Also, 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 Aid Offered? Almost all barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and learn 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 available to students also. If a school meets each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not drop it as an alternative before you learn what financial aid may be provided in Perrysburg OH.