How to Choose the Right Barber Training Program Near Virginia Beach Virginia
Since you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Virginia Beach VA, the process begins to search for and enroll in the ideal school. It's imperative that the program you choose not only furnishes the appropriate instruction for the specialty you have selected, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you may be a little bit puzzled about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are pretty much interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. We'll discuss a little bit more concerning that in the upcoming section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Virginia Beach residence. Tuition will additionally be a critical aspect when assessing prospective barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it's not automatically the right choice. There are various other factors that you should weigh when comparing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are considering later in this article. Before we do, let's discuss a little bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.
Why Choose Barbering?
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 Barber Colleges
Below is a series of questions that you need to research for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Virginia Beach VA home, as well as the cost of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like 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 preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have collected some of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the barber school you pick 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 measure up to their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for securing student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available in Virginia Beach 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, a number of employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Each barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials 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 demanded. Visit rating services for reviews together with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Virginia Beach VA barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. Finally, consult the Virginia school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently 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 intention is to be trained as a barber, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your dream is to start 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 regarded school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities demands plenty of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a Virginia Beach VA barber college provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather relies predominantly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for cultivating your skills. So try to find other schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a barber school, it's imperative that he or she gets help in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide help maintain relationships with area businesses that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and ask which Virginia Beach VA area shops and organizations they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Many barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and learn 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 also. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not omit it as an option until you learn what financial assistance may be provided in Virginia Beach VA.
How to Become a Barber in Virginia Beach
Choose in the Best Virginia Beach Barber School
Choosing and enrolling in the ideal barber training program is important to receive the necessary training to become a licensed professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel positive about your decision. Make certain to consolidate all of the information you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to contrast schools. A good beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the college and program you choose are accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, and address the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are ready to begin your new career as a professional barber in Virginia Beach Virginia.
Virginia Beach Barber Academy | Virginia Beach Barbering Courses