How to Select the Right Barbering School Near Wilkes Barre Pennsylvania

Since you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Wilkes Barre PA, the process begins to search for and enroll in the ideal school. It's important that the school you pick not only provides the necessary education for the specialty you have selected, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you may be rather confused about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are basically interchangeable and both refer to the same type of school. We'll talk a bit more concerning that in the following segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Wilkes Barre residence. Tuition will additionally be a critical aspect when evaluating potential barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it's not always the ideal option. There are many other factors that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are looking at later within 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 Become a Barber?

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.

What to Ask Barbering Schools

Following is a list of questions that you need to research for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Wilkes Barre PA residence, together with the price of tuition, will probably 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 preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have compiled some of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final determination.

Is the Barber College Accredited? It's essential to make certain that the barber training program you select 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for getting student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in Wilkes Barre 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, 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 a Good Reputation?  Each barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating companies for reviews together with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Wilkes Barre PA barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. And last, consult the Pennsylvania school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty?  Some beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you select a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your objective 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 launch a barber shop in Wilkes Barre PA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly ranked school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.

Is Any Live Training Provided?  Learning and refining barbering techniques and abilities requires plenty of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber courses you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that make it possible for students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a Wilkes Barre PA barber college furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but instead relies mainly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for acquiring your skills. So try to find other schools that offer this kind of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's important that she or he gets help in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer aid maintain relationships with area businesses that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which Wilkes Barre PA area shops and organizations they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Assistance Offered?  Most barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. 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 offered 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 before you find out what financial assistance may be provided in Wilkes Barre PA.

How to Choose a Barber College in Wilkes Barre

Choose in the Best Wilkes Barre Barber College

Finding and enrolling in the ideal barber training program is important to get the proper training to become a licensed technician. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel positive about your decision. Don't forget to consolidate all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to compare schools. A good beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the school and program you pick are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you start with that foundation, and answer the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are ready to begin your career as a professional barber in Wilkes Barre Pennsylvania.

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