How to Select the Best Barbering College Near Altoona Pennsylvania
Now that you have decided to attend a barber school near Altoona PA, the process begins to locate and enroll in the best school. It's important that the program you pick not only furnishes the proper training for the specialty you have chosen, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your preliminary search, you may be a little bit unclear about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are pretty much interchangeable and both relate to the same type of school. We'll discuss a bit more concerning that in the upcoming section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Altoona home. Tuition will also be a critical factor when evaluating possible barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it's not always the ideal option. There are several other qualifications that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are considering 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 Choose Barbering?
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.
Questions to Ask Barber Training Programs
Following is a series of questions that you will want to look into for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Altoona PA residence, as well as the expense of tuition, will undoubtedly be your primary qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have put together several of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber school you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable in Altoona PA for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous employers 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 college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good beginning. 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, attesting that their students are highly sought after. Check rating companies for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Altoona PA barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. And last, consult the Pennsylvania school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? 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 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 intention 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 vision is to launch a barber shop in Altoona PA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly ranked school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and perfecting barbering skills and techniques demands lots of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a Altoona PA barber college offers little or no scheduled live training, but rather relies heavily on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for cultivating your skills. Therefore try to find other schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's important that he or she receives support in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide assistance maintain relationships with local employers that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which Altoona PA area shops and organizations they refer students to. Also, 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 regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Almost all barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask 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 offered to students as well. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not omit it as an option before you determine what financial assistance may be provided in Altoona PA.
How to Become a Barber in Altoona
Enroll in the Right Altoona Barber School
Choosing and enrolling in the ideal barber training program is important to receive the proper training to become a licensed practitioner. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel confident about your decision. Make certain to organize all of the information you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to compare schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the college and program you choose are accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and answer the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are prepared to start your career as a professional barber in Altoona Pennsylvania.