How to Enroll In the Best Barber Academy Near Battle Ground Washington
Once you have decided to enroll in a barber school near Battle Ground WA, the task starts to search for and enroll in the right school. It's essential that the school you pick not only provides the proper education for the specialty you have decided on, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. 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 names are essentially interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. We'll talk a little bit more about that in the upcoming section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Battle Ground home. Tuition will also be an important aspect when reviewing potential barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the cheapest it's not automatically the ideal choice. There are a number of other considerations that you should weigh when analyzing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are thinking about 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?
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.
Questions to Ask Barber Schools
Below is a list of questions that you should look into for any barber college you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Battle Ground WA residence, together with the price of tuition, will probably be your primary qualifiers. Whether you wish 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 even more factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber training program. Following we have put together several of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the barber training program you pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for securing student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available in Battle Ground WA for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals 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 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, showing that their students are highly demanded. Check rating services for reviews along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Battle Ground WA barber shop owners or managers, or any person 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 finally, consult the Washington school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you pick 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 respected for that program. If your dream is to open a barber shop in Battle Ground WA, 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 poor program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and mastering barbering techniques and abilities requires plenty of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a Battle Ground WA barber school furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends predominantly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for cultivating 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 imperative that she or he receives help in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance develop relationships with local employers that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which Battle Ground WA area shops and organizations they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Almost all barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students too. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not omit it as an alternative before you find out what financial help may be offered in Battle Ground WA.
How to Choose a Barber College in Battle Ground
Choose in the Best Battle Ground Barber College
Choosing and enrolling in the ideal barber college is important to receive the proper training to become a licensed specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel certain about your decision. Make certain to compile all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that information to compare schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the school and program you decide on are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the profession. If you begin with that foundation, and answer the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the ideal choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are ready to start your career as a professional barber in Battle Ground Washington.