How to Pick the Best Barber Training Program Near Puyallup Washington
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Puyallup WA, the process starts to locate and enroll in the best school. It's imperative that the school you select not only furnishes the proper education for the specialty you have decided on, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you may be rather confused about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are essentially interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. We'll discuss a bit more regarding that in the next segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Puyallup residence. Tuition will additionally be a critical consideration when evaluating potential barber schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it's not necessarily the best choice. There are a number of other considerations that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are looking at later within 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 series of questions that you should look into for any barber school you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Puyallup WA residence, together with the cost of tuition, will most likely be your initial qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have narrowed 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 college. Below we have put together some of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber school you select is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized 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 may also be essential for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available in Puyallup WA for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Any barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good starting point. 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, signifying that their students are highly regarded. Check rating services for reviews together with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Puyallup WA barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. Finally, contact the Washington school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you pick a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your objective 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 vision is to open a barber shop in Puyallup WA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly ranked school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and mastering barbering skills and techniques demands lots of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber classes you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a Puyallup WA barber school offers little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends predominantly on using 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 have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's important that she or he receives support in securing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide help develop relationships with local employers that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which Puyallup WA area shops and organizations they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Most barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students too. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not omit it as an option before you determine what financial assistance may be available in Puyallup WA.
How to Choose a Barber College in Puyallup
Enroll in the Best Puyallup Barber College
Locating and enrolling in the ideal barber school is essential to obtain the proper training to become a licensed technician. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel positive about your decision. Don't forget to consolidate all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to contrast schools. A sensible start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the institution and program you pick are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you start with that base, and address the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are prepared to begin your career as a professional barber in Puyallup Washington.