What to Ask Barbering Training Programs
Following is a series of questions that you will want to investigate for any barber college you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Mclean VA home, in addition to the price of tuition, will most likely be your initial qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have collected several of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important to make certain that the barber training program you choose 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 comply with their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered in Mclean VA for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Any barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly sought after. Check rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Mclean VA barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. And last, consult the Virginia school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly 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 ambition 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 start a barber shop in Mclean VA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.
Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and refining barbering techniques and abilities demands plenty of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that make it possible for students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a Mclean VA barber school furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but rather depends predominantly on using mannequins, it may not be the best option for developing your skills. Therefore search for other schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's imperative that she or he gets aid in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish aid develop relationships with local businesses that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which Mclean VA area shops and organizations they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? The majority of barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and identify 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 accessible to students too. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not discard it as an option until you determine what financial aid may be available in Mclean VA.