How to Find the Best Barbering College Near Greenwood South Carolina
Now that you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Greenwood SC, the process begins to locate and enroll in the best school. It's essential that the program you choose not only furnishes the appropriate instruction for the specialty you have chosen, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you may be somewhat confused 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 refer to the same type of school. We'll speak a bit more concerning that in the next segment. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Greenwood home. Tuition will additionally be a critical aspect when assessing possible barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it's not automatically the right choice. There are various other factors that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are considering later within 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.
What to Ask Barber Training Programs
Below is a series of questions that you will want to look into for any barber college you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Greenwood SC residence, in addition to the price of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber college. Following we have collected several of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make certain that the barber training program you pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national organization, 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 can also be necessary for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available in Greenwood SC for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in some 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 favorably 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 excellent reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Greenwood SC barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to propose others that you had not looked into. And last, consult the South Carolina school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you choose a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your goal is to be trained as a barber, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your vision is to start a barber shop in Greenwood SC, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly ranked school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Studying and mastering barbering skills and techniques demands lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that make it possible for students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a Greenwood SC barber school furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but rather depends predominantly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best option for cultivating your skills. Therefore try to find other schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's crucial that she or he gets assistance in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer help maintain relationships with area businesses that are searching for trained graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which Greenwood SC area shops and businesses they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Almost all barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and learn 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 also. If a school meets all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not eliminate it as an alternative before you learn what financial aid may be provided in Greenwood SC.
How to Train in Barbering in Greenwood
Enroll in the Right Greenwood Barber College
Choosing and enrolling in the ideal barber college is imperative to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed practitioner. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel confident about your decision. Don't forget to collect all of the responses you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that data to compare schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the school and program you choose are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you start with that foundation, and address the additional questions provided in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are ready to start your new career as a professional barber in Greenwood South Carolina.