How to Find the Best Barber Training Program Near Harrisonburg Virginia
Once you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Harrisonburg VA, the process starts to search for and enroll in the best school. It's essential that the program you pick not only furnishes the appropriate training for the specialty you have decided on, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you might be rather unclear 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 type of school. We'll talk a little bit more about that in the upcoming section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Harrisonburg residence. Tuition will likewise be an important consideration when reviewing potential barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it's not always the right choice. There are various other considerations that you should weigh when analyzing 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 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 Barber Colleges
Below is a list of questions that you will want to research for any barber college you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Harrisonburg VA home, together with the price of tuition, will most likely be your primary qualifiers. Whether you wish 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 need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have put together several of those supplemental questions that you need to 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 certified local or national organization, 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 superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not obtainable in Harrisonburg VA for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many 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 Great Reputation? Each barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly demanded. Check rating companies for reviews together with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Harrisonburg VA barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. And last, check with the Virginia school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, such as 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 intention is to be trained as a barber, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your dream is to launch a barber shop in Harrisonburg VA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and perfecting barbering skills and techniques demands lots of practice on people. 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 enable students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a Harrisonburg VA barber college furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but instead relies predominantly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best 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 college, it's crucial that she or he receives support in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish help maintain relationships with area employers that are searching for trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and ask which Harrisonburg VA area shops and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Many barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students too. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not drop it as an option until you determine what financial help may be available in Harrisonburg VA.
How to Choose a Barber School in Harrisonburg
Enroll in the Right Harrisonburg Barber School
Selecting and enrolling in the right barber school is imperative to obtain the appropriate training to become a licensed specialist. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel confident about your decision. Make certain to collect 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 start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the institution and program you select are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you begin with that foundation, and answer the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are ready to launch your career as a professional barber in Harrisonburg Virginia.
Harrisonburg Barber Training | Harrisonburg Barbering Schools