How to Pick the Best Barbering Course Near Bellingham Washington

Since you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Bellingham WA, the process begins to find and enroll in the best school. It's important that the school you select not only furnishes the necessary training for the specialty you have selected, 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 basically interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. We'll talk a bit more regarding that in the following section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Bellingham residence. Tuition will likewise be a critical factor when evaluating possible barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it's not always the ideal choice. There are several other factors that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are considering later in 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.

Questions to Ask Barber Schools

Following is a list of questions that you should investigate for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Bellingham WA residence, in addition to the expense of tuition, will most likely 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 narrowed your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and take into consideration 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 determination.

Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber training program you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified local or national agency, 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 may also be necessary for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not obtainable in Bellingham WA for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation?  Any barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly sought after. Check rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Bellingham WA 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 may even be able to propose others that you had not considered. Finally, contact the Washington school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty?  A number of beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all areas 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 select a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your ambition 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 start a barber shop in Bellingham WA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly ranked school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.

Is Plenty of Live Training Provided?  Learning and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities involves lots of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber courses you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a Bellingham WA barber school furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather relies mainly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the best option for acquiring your skills. Therefore look for other schools that offer this type of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's imperative that he or she receives assistance in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide assistance develop relationships with area employers that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and ask which Bellingham WA area shops and businesses they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Assistance Offered?  Many barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students too. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not drop it as an alternative until you determine what financial help may be offered in Bellingham WA.

How to Train in Barbering in Bellingham

Enroll in the Best Bellingham Barber School

Choosing and enrolling in the right barber college is imperative to obtain the proper training to become a licensed specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel certain about your decision. Make sure to collect all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to compare schools. A good start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the institution and program you decide on are accredited and have impressive reputations within the profession. If you start with that foundation, and answer the additional questions provided in this article, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be confident that you are qualified to start your career as a professional barber in Bellingham Washington.

Bellingham Barbering Training | Bellingham College Of Barbering