Questions to Ask Barbering Training Programs
Below is a list of questions that you should look into for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Shelbyville TN residence, together with the cost of tuition, will most likely be your initial qualifiers. Whether you wish 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 additional factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Following we have collected some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber college you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in Shelbyville TN for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Every barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional 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, showing that their students are highly sought after. Check rating companies for reviews together with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Shelbyville TN barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. And finally, consult the Tennessee 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 comprehensive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you pick 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 Shelbyville TN, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and mastering barbering techniques and abilities involves lots of practice on volunteers. Ask 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 allow students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a Shelbyville TN barber school offers little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends predominantly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for acquiring your skills. So try to find alternate schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from a barber school, it's essential that he or she gets help in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide assistance develop relationships with local employers that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which Shelbyville TN area shops and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, 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 regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Most barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are reviewing 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 is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students as well. If a school meets each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not eliminate it as an option before you learn what financial aid may be available in Shelbyville TN.