How to Find the Right Barbering Training Program Near Federal Way Washington

Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Federal Way WA, the process begins to locate and enroll in the ideal school. It's imperative that the school you select not only provides the necessary training for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your initial search, you might be rather confused about the distinction 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 type of school. We'll talk a bit more regarding that in the upcoming segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Federal Way residence. Tuition will also be an important aspect when reviewing possible barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it's not automatically the best choice. There are various other considerations that you should weigh when reviewing 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 discuss a bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.

Why Choose Barbering?

Barbershops have always been a place for men to get their hair cut, socialize, and gab about everything from sports to stock tips. Although today some women visit barbershops and some men visit stylists and salons, the barbershop and its iconic red, white, and blue striped pole is still a cornerstone of male culture. If you’ve got an eye for style, a creative flair, and an appreciation for America’s unique barbershop culture, a career as a barber could be your calling. As a barber, you’ll cut, style, shape, and treat men’s hair, and sometimes women’s and children’s hair, too. You’ll give shaves and trim facial hair and sometimes perform neck and scalp massages. Like all specialists in the field of cosmetology, you’ll make a ritual out of maintaining your tools, station, and clients to the highest standards of hygiene and sanitization.

What to Ask Barbering Colleges

Following is a series of questions that you will want to research for any barber school you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Federal Way WA residence, as well as the expense of tuition, will most likely be your primary qualifiers. Whether you want 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 initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have compiled several of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final decision.

Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important to make certain that the barber training program you select 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 meet their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not obtainable in Federal Way WA for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Good Reputation?  Every barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly sought after. Check rating services for reviews along with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Federal Way WA barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. And last, consult the Washington school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty?  Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you decide on 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 aspiration is to start a barber shop in Federal Way WA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you require.

Is Any Live Training Provided?  Learning and perfecting barbering skills and techniques involves lots of practice on people. Check 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 make it possible for students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a Federal Way WA barber school offers limited or no scheduled live training, but rather depends mainly on using mannequins, it might not be the best option for developing your skills. Therefore search for alternate schools that provide this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's crucial that he or she gets support in securing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish aid maintain relationships with area employers that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which Federal Way WA area shops and businesses they refer students to. Additionally, ask 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 Aid 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. Speak with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students also. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not eliminate it as an alternative before you find out what financial help may be available in Federal Way WA.

How to Become a Barber in Federal Way

Enroll in the Right Federal Way Barber College

Selecting and enrolling in the ideal barber college is important to obtain the appropriate training to become a licensed technician. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel positive about your decision. Make sure to consolidate all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that information to compare schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the institution and program you select are accredited and have impressive reputations within the profession. If you begin with that base, and answer the additional questions provided 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 exam, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to launch your career as a professional barber in Federal Way Washington.

Federal Way College Of Barbering | Federal Way Courses For Barbering