How to Choose the Right Barber Training Program Near Whitpain Pennsylvania
Since you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Whitpain PA, the task begins to search for and enroll in the ideal school. It's imperative that the school you pick not only furnishes the necessary education for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your preliminary search, you may be a little bit puzzled about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are basically interchangeable and both pertain to the same kind of school. We'll talk a bit more concerning that in the following section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Whitpain home. Tuition will likewise be an important factor when assessing possible barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it's not always the best choice. There are many other considerations that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are looking at later in this article. Before we do, let's discuss a little bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.
Why Choose Barbering?
Barbering is an art form, according to many, so it’s no surprise that individuals interested in becoming a barber must become authorities before they can command a barber’s chair. And one of the best and most effective ways to do so is through a comprehensive educational program. Since the early 1880s, barbering has been a tradition among men. Visiting the barber shop was often a weekly occasion, where a shave and a cut, and a little socialization among friends, were as popular as a trip to the local saloon. The barber experience still lives on, and many say it is even making a comeback as men realize the value of a great cut and a close shave. Today’s barbers must be able to deliver the highest quality services to their clients, services that cannot be found at a local mall hair salon or a unisex discount salon. Therefore, a solid education, complete with plenty of hands-on training, is a must. It is also a must for licensure, a requirement in every state. Although some states do recognize an apprenticeship as a route to licensure, all states recognize an accredited program.
What to Ask Barbering Training Programs
Below is a list of questions that you will want to investigate for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Whitpain PA home, as well as the price of tuition, will undoubtedly be your primary qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Following we have put together some of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make certain that the barber training program you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in Whitpain PA for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Every barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly demanded. Check rating companies for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Whitpain PA barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the industry, 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 looked into. Finally, contact the Pennsylvania school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you decide on 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 Whitpain PA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly regarded school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.
Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and refining barbering techniques and abilities demands lots of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a Whitpain PA barber college provides limited or no scheduled live training, but rather depends heavily on the use of mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for cultivating your skills. So search for alternate schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a barber college, it's important that he or she gets assistance in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer help maintain relationships with local employers that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and find out which Whitpain PA area shops and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Many barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and learn 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 as well. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not discard it as an option until you determine what financial help may be offered in Whitpain PA.
How to Train in Barbering in Whitpain
Enroll in the Right Whitpain Barber School
Finding and enrolling in the ideal barber college is important to get the proper training to become a licensed practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel certain about your decision. Make sure to organize all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to compare schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the institution and program you select are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the ideal choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to start your career as a professional barber in Whitpain Pennsylvania.