How to Pick the Best Barber Classes Near Staunton Virginia
Once you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Staunton VA, the task begins to search for and enroll in the right school. It's important that the program you pick not only furnishes the necessary 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 somewhat puzzled about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are basically interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. We'll talk a little bit more regarding that in the following section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Staunton home. Tuition will also be a critical aspect when assessing possible barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it's not necessarily the ideal choice. There are several other qualifications that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are thinking about later within this article. Before we do, let's discuss a 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 Barbering Schools
Following is a series of questions that you should research for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Staunton VA home, as well as the expense of tuition, will probably be your primary qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Following we have collected several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber school you pick 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 meet their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in Staunton VA for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Any barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly regarded. Check rating companies for reviews together with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Staunton VA barber shop owners or managers, or someone 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. And last, check with the Virginia school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances 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 facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you select a school that specializes in 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 aspiration is to launch a barber shop in Staunton VA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and refining barbering skills and techniques requires lots of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber lessons you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that make it possible for students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a Staunton VA barber school furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends mainly on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the best option for cultivating your skills. So search for other schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's imperative that she or he receives assistance in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer assistance maintain relationships with local employers that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which Staunton VA area shops and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Most barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are considering 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 offered to students too. If a school meets each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not discard it as an option until you learn what financial assistance may be offered in Staunton VA.
How to Train to Be a Barber in Staunton
Enroll in the Best Staunton Barber School
Selecting and enrolling in the ideal barber school is imperative to get the necessary training to become a licensed technician. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel certain about your decision. Make certain to consolidate all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that information to contrast schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the school and program you select are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, and answer the additional questions provided in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are ready to start your new career as a professional barber in Staunton Virginia.
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