What to Ask Barbering Training Programs
Below is a list of questions that you should look into for any barber school you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Pottstown PA home, as well as the cost of tuition, will most likely 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 reduced your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have put together some of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber school you enroll in 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 acquiring student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available in Pottstown PA for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous businesses will not hire 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 exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating companies for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Pottstown PA barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. And last, contact the Pennsylvania school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances 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 areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you decide on a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your objective 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 aspiration is to launch a barber shop in Pottstown PA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly rated school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Practicing and mastering barbering skills and techniques involves plenty of practice on people. Find out 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 allow students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a Pottstown PA barber school furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but rather depends predominantly on using mannequins, it may not be the best option for developing your skills. Therefore look for alternate schools that provide this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's imperative that she or he receives aid in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide assistance maintain relationships with local businesses that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which Pottstown 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 broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Many barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students as well. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not omit it as an option until you find out what financial help may be provided in Pottstown PA.