How to Select the Right Barbering Training Near Virginia Beach Virginia
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Virginia Beach VA, the process starts to find and enroll in the right school. It's important that the program you select not only provides the appropriate education for the specialty you have chosen, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you might be somewhat puzzled about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are essentially interchangeable and both pertain to the same kind of school. We'll talk a bit more concerning that in the next section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Virginia Beach residence. Tuition will likewise be a critical aspect when evaluating prospective barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it's not always the best option. There are several other considerations that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are thinking about later within this article. Before we do, let's talk a little 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.
What to Ask Barbering Colleges
Below is a series of questions that you need to look into for any barber school you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Virginia Beach VA residence, in addition to the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly be your primary qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have compiled several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make certain that the barber college you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for securing student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered in Virginia Beach VA for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Any barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. 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 along with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Virginia Beach VA barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. Finally, consult the Virginia school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Many beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you select a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your goal 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 open a barber shop in Virginia Beach VA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly rated school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Learning and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities demands lots of practice on people. Ask 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 enable students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a Virginia Beach VA barber college provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends predominantly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best option for acquiring your skills. Therefore search for alternate schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a barber college, it's crucial that she or he receives assistance in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer aid develop relationships with local employers that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which Virginia Beach VA area shops and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? The majority of barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students as well. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not omit it as an option until you find out what financial assistance may be provided in Virginia Beach VA.
How to Become a Barber in Virginia Beach
Enroll in the Best Virginia Beach Barber School
Selecting and enrolling in the ideal barber training program is essential to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed specialist. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel confident about your decision. Be sure to consolidate all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to contrast schools. A good beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the college and program you choose are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you start with that base, and answer the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are ready to launch your career as a professional barber in Virginia Beach Virginia.
Virginia Beach Courses For Barbering | Virginia Beach Barber Courses