How to Find the Best Barber Training Program Near Lorton Virginia
Once you have decided to attend a barber school near Lorton VA, the process starts to find and enroll in the right school. It's important that the program you pick not only furnishes the proper training for the specialty you have selected, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your preliminary search, you might be rather puzzled 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 pertain to the same type of school. We'll talk a little bit more regarding that in the following section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Lorton residence. Tuition will additionally be a critical consideration when evaluating potential barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it's not automatically the right choice. There are several other qualifications that you should evaluate when comparing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are considering later in this article. Before we do, let's talk a bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.
Why Become a Barber?
Barbering is an art form, according to many, so it’s no surprise that individuals interested in becoming a barber must become authorities before they can command a barber’s chair. And one of the best and most effective ways to do so is through a comprehensive educational program. Since the early 1880s, barbering has been a tradition among men. Visiting the barber shop was often a weekly occasion, where a shave and a cut, and a little socialization among friends, were as popular as a trip to the local saloon. The barber experience still lives on, and many say it is even making a comeback as men realize the value of a great cut and a close shave. Today’s barbers must be able to deliver the highest quality services to their clients, services that cannot be found at a local mall hair salon or a unisex discount salon. Therefore, a solid education, complete with plenty of hands-on training, is a must. It is also a must for licensure, a requirement in every state. Although some states do recognize an apprenticeship as a route to licensure, all states recognize an accredited program.
Questions to Ask Barbering Colleges
Following is a list of questions that you should research for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Lorton VA residence, in addition to the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly 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 options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have collected some of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber training program 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable in Lorton VA for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may 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 outstanding reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly regarded. Check rating companies for reviews together with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Lorton VA barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. And finally, check with the Virginia school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you enroll in 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 well regarded for that program. If your vision is to launch a barber shop in Lorton VA, 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 weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and perfecting barbering skills and techniques demands plenty of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber classes you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a Lorton VA barber college offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead depends mainly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the best option for cultivating your skills. So try to find alternate schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's important that she or he receives support in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide help maintain relationships with area businesses that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which Lorton VA area shops and establishments they refer students to. In addition, 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 Assistance Available? Many barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and find out 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 available to students too. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not drop it as an alternative until you find out what financial help may be offered in Lorton VA.
How to Train in Barbering in Lorton
Choose in the Best Lorton Barber College
Locating and enrolling in the right barber school is essential to obtain the proper training to become a licensed specialist. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel positive about your decision. Be sure to organize all of the information you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that data to compare schools. A good start 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 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 choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are ready to begin your new career as a professional barber in Lorton Virginia.