Questions to Ask Barber Training Programs
Below is a series of questions that you should research for any barber school you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Johnstown PA home, in addition to the expense of tuition, will probably be your primary qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue 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. Below we have compiled several of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential to make certain that the barber school you enroll in 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 measure up to their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered in Johnstown PA for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Each barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating services for reviews along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Johnstown PA barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to propose others that you had not considered. And finally, consult the Pennsylvania school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you pick a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your ambition 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 start a barber shop in Johnstown PA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Learning and perfecting barbering skills and techniques involves plenty of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber lessons you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that make it possible for students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a Johnstown PA barber college offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather relies heavily on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the best option for cultivating your skills. So search for alternate schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's important that she or he gets support in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance maintain relationships with local businesses that are searching for trained graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which Johnstown PA area shops and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Almost all barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students too. If a school meets all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not eliminate it as an option until you learn what financial aid may be offered in Johnstown PA.