How to Pick the Best Barber School Near South Burlington Vermont
Since you have decided to attend a barber school near South Burlington VT, the task begins to locate and enroll in the ideal school. It's imperative that the program you select not only furnishes the proper instruction for the specialty you have selected, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you might be somewhat puzzled about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are essentially interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. We'll speak a little bit more regarding that in the upcoming section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your South Burlington home. Tuition will likewise be a critical factor when evaluating potential barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it's not always the right choice. There are various other factors that you should weigh when comparing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask concerning 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, 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 Colleges
Below is a series of questions that you need to investigate for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your South Burlington VT home, as well as the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have put together some of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important to make certain that the barber college you pick 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available in South Burlington VT for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Each barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good beginning. 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, indicating that their students are highly regarded. Check rating services for reviews along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with South Burlington VT barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. Finally, consult the Vermont school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you select a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your goal is to be trained as a barber, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your vision is to launch a barber shop in South Burlington VT, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly ranked school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Any Live Training Provided? Studying and perfecting barbering skills and techniques requires plenty of practice on people. Ask 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 enable students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a South Burlington VT barber college provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends mainly on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the most effective alternative for cultivating your skills. Therefore 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 school, it's crucial that she or he receives assistance in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer assistance develop relationships with area employers that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which South Burlington VT area shops and businesses they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Many barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are investigating 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 available to students also. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not eliminate it as an alternative before you find out what financial aid may be available in South Burlington VT.
How to Train in Barbering in South Burlington
Choose in the Right South Burlington Barber School
Picking and enrolling in the ideal barber school is important to get the proper training to become a licensed professional. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel certain about your decision. Be sure to collect all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to compare schools. A sensible start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the college and program you decide on are accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, and answer the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are prepared to start your career as a professional barber in South Burlington Vermont.
South Burlington Barber Colleges | South Burlington How To Become A Barber