How to Select the Best Barber Academy Near Petersburg Virginia

Since you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Petersburg VA, the process begins to search for and enroll in the best school. It's imperative that the program you select not only furnishes the proper education for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your preliminary search, you might be rather confused about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are pretty much interchangeable and both refer to the same type of school. We'll discuss a bit more concerning that in the next section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Petersburg residence. Tuition will also be an important aspect when assessing potential barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it's not necessarily the right option. There are several other factors that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are looking at 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 Choose Barbering?

Hairstyles are increasingly being considered by people to be a projection of their personalities.  As a result, barbers are still very much in demand. However, most people are looking for trained professionals and will not just drop in on any local barber shop displaying a red, white and blue pole. Training to become a barber is a career move that offers many benefits for those that are both artistic and sociable.  The artistic side is indulged by creating a plethora of different and sometimes challenging hairstyles. The social aspect obviously comes into play by keeping the customer engaged while creating your masterpiece. In fact, some barbers are so proud of their artistic accomplishments that they will take photos of their finished hairstyles and post them on their websites as a portfolio to attract new clients.  And barbering lends itself to a more intimate form of customer service by providing time with the client while cutting his (or her) hair.  This time spent together can lead to the development of a rapport or even a new friendship. As a result, many customers come back not only because they are pleased with the service, but also to enjoy the social amenities that their neighborhood barbershop can offer.

What to Ask Barber Colleges

Following is a series of questions that you need to investigate for any barber college you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Petersburg VA residence, in addition to the cost of tuition, will probably be your primary qualifiers. Whether you want 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 must research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have compiled some of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final decision.

Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber training program you select 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered in Petersburg 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, a number of employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon those 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 profession. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly demanded. Check rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Petersburg VA barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to propose others that you had not thought of. Finally, contact the Virginia school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty?  Many beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential 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 desire is to start a barber shop in Petersburg VA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.

Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided?  Practicing and refining barbering techniques and abilities involves lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber courses you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a Petersburg VA barber school provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead depends mainly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for acquiring your skills. So search for other schools that furnish this kind of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's crucial that he or she receives support in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide help maintain relationships with local employers that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which Petersburg VA area shops and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Assistance Available?  The majority of barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and identify 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 accessible to students as well. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not drop it as an alternative until you determine what financial aid may be offered in Petersburg VA.

How to Train to Be a Barber in Petersburg

Choose in the Best Petersburg Barber College

Finding and enrolling in the right barber college is imperative to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed practitioner. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel certain about your decision. Make sure to compile all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to contrast schools. A good start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the school and program you decide on are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, and answer the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are ready to launch your new career as a professional barber in Petersburg Virginia.

Petersburg Barbering Training | Petersburg College Of Barbering