How to Find the Best Barber Training Program Near Upper Darby Pennsylvania
Once you have decided to enroll in a barber school near Upper Darby PA, the process starts to search for and enroll in the right school. It's imperative that the program you pick not only furnishes the necessary training for the specialty you have selected, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your preliminary search, you might be rather unclear about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are essentially interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. We'll talk a little bit more about that in the following section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Upper Darby residence. Tuition will likewise be an important consideration when assessing potential barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it's not always the best option. There are many other factors that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are considering later in 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
Following is a series of questions that you should look into for any barber school you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Upper Darby PA residence, in addition to 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 choices based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber college. Following we have put together several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber college you pick 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 measure up to their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered in Upper Darby PA for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably 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 outstanding reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating services for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Upper Darby PA barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. And finally, consult the Pennsylvania school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Many beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you select 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 dream is to open a barber shop in Upper Darby PA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly regarded school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities involves lots of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that make it possible for students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a Upper Darby PA barber college offers little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends mainly on using mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for acquiring your skills. So look for other schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a barber school, it's imperative that she or he gets help in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer 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 find out which Upper Darby PA area shops and businesses they refer students to. Also, 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 regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Almost all barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and find out 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 fulfills each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not drop it as an option before you determine what financial assistance may be provided in Upper Darby PA.
How to Choose a Barber School in Upper Darby
Enroll in the Right Upper Darby Barber School
Finding and enrolling in the ideal barber college is imperative to get the necessary training to become a licensed specialist. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel confident about your decision. Don't forget to organize all of the responses you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to contrast schools. A good beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the school and program you pick are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and answer the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are ready to start your career as a professional barber in Upper Darby Pennsylvania.
Upper Darby Barbering Colleges | Upper Darby Schools For Barbering