How to Pick the Best Barber Training Near Lakewood Washington
Now that you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Lakewood WA, the process begins to search for and enroll in the best school. It's essential that the school you choose not only furnishes the appropriate instruction for the specialty you have chosen, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you might be a little bit puzzled about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are pretty much interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. We'll talk a bit more concerning that in the upcoming section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Lakewood residence. Tuition will also be a critical consideration when assessing prospective barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it's not always the ideal choice. There are a number of other factors that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are looking at later in 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.
Questions to Ask Barbering Schools
Below is a list of questions that you need to investigate for any barber school you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Lakewood WA home, together with the price of tuition, will probably 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 reduced your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Following we have put together several of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the barber school you choose 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered in Lakewood WA for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Every barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating services for reviews along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Lakewood WA barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to propose others that you had not thought of. Finally, consult the Washington school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you pick a school that specializes in 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 respected for that program. If your aspiration is to open a barber shop in Lakewood WA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Any Live Training Provided? Practicing and refining barbering skills and techniques demands plenty of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that make it possible for students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a Lakewood WA barber school furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but instead depends heavily on the use of mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for cultivating your skills. Therefore look 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 gets support in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide help maintain relationships with local employers that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and ask which Lakewood WA area shops and organizations they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Most barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and find out 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 also. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not drop it as an option before you learn what financial assistance may be available in Lakewood WA.
How to Choose a Barber College in Lakewood
Enroll in the Best Lakewood Barber College
Picking and enrolling in the ideal barber training program is essential to get the necessary training to become a licensed professional. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel positive about your decision. Make sure to organize all of the information you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that data to compare schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the school and program you decide on are accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. If you start with that foundation, and address the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are ready to begin your new career as a professional barber in Lakewood Washington.