How to Find the Best Barbering Academy Near Chester Pennsylvania
Since you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Chester PA, the process begins to find and enroll in the ideal school. It's essential that the school you choose not only provides the necessary training for the specialty you have chosen, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your preliminary search, you may be somewhat confused about the distinction 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 refer to the same kind of school. We'll discuss a little bit more regarding that in the upcoming section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Chester residence. Tuition will also be an important aspect when assessing potential barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it's not automatically the best option. There are many other factors that you should weigh when comparing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are thinking about later within this article. Before we do, let's talk 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 Barbering Schools
Below is a list of questions that you will want to investigate for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Chester PA residence, together with the price of tuition, will probably be your primary qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber training program. Following we have compiled some of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the barber school you select 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for getting student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in Chester PA for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Any barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good starting point. 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, attesting that their students are highly demanded. Check rating services for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Chester PA barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. And finally, check with the Pennsylvania school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you decide on a school that focuses on 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 well regarded for that program. If your desire is to start a barber shop in Chester PA, then you want 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 Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities demands plenty of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that make it possible for students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a Chester PA barber school provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead depends predominantly on using mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for developing your skills. Therefore look for alternate schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a barber school, it's important that she or he gets help in securing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer assistance develop relationships with local businesses that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which Chester PA 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 regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Most 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. Consult with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you may 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 satisfies all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not eliminate it as an alternative until you determine what financial aid may be available in Chester PA.
How to Choose a Barber School in Chester
Choose in the Right Chester Barber College
Finding and enrolling in the ideal barber training program is important to receive the appropriate 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 sure to collect all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to compare schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the school and program you decide on are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you start with that foundation, and address the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the ideal choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to begin your new career as a professional barber in Chester Pennsylvania.