Questions to Ask Barbering Training Programs
Following is a list of questions that you will want to research for any barber school you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Columbia SC home, in addition to the price of tuition, will most likely be your primary qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly 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 training program. Following we have compiled some of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the barber training program you select 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for securing student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in Columbia SC for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous employers will not recruit 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 college that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Columbia SC barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. Finally, check with the South Carolina school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you pick 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 aspiration is to start a barber shop in Columbia SC, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly ranked school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Studying and refining barbering skills and techniques requires plenty of practice on volunteers. Check 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 growing skills on real people. If a Columbia SC barber school offers limited or no scheduled live training, but rather depends mainly on using mannequins, it may not be the most effective alternative for cultivating your skills. So try to find alternate schools that furnish this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from a barber school, it's important that she or he receives assistance in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish aid develop relationships with local employers that are searching for trained graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and find out which Columbia SC area shops and organizations they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Many barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students too. If a school meets all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not eliminate it as an option until you find out what financial help may be provided in Columbia SC.