How to Select the Best Barber Training Program Near Vancouver Washington
Since you have decided to enroll in a barber school near Vancouver WA, the task starts to locate and enroll in the right school. It's important that the school you choose not only furnishes the necessary training for the specialty you have selected, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your preliminary search, you might be rather unclear about the difference 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 type of school. We'll talk a little bit more concerning that in the following segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Vancouver home. Tuition will also be a critical aspect when assessing prospective barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it's not automatically the ideal choice. There are several other factors that you should weigh when comparing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are thinking about later within 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.
What to Ask Barbering Colleges
Following is a series of questions that you should investigate for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Vancouver WA residence, together with the cost of tuition, will most likely be your primary qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have collected some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not obtainable in Vancouver WA for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many employers will not hire 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 college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating services for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Vancouver WA barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. And finally, check with the Washington school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you choose 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 dream is to open a barber shop in Vancouver WA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Practicing and perfecting barbering skills and techniques demands lots of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a Vancouver WA barber college offers little or no scheduled live training, but rather depends predominantly on using mannequins, it may not be the most effective alternative for developing your skills. So search for other schools that provide this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's imperative that she or he gets help in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance develop relationships with area businesses that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which Vancouver WA area shops and establishments they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Most barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. 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 available to students too. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not drop it as an alternative until you learn what financial help may be available in Vancouver WA.
How to Choose a Barber School in Vancouver
Enroll in the Right Vancouver Barber School
Choosing and enrolling in the ideal barber school is imperative to receive the proper training to become a licensed practitioner. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel certain about your decision. Make certain to compile all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to compare schools. A good beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the school and program you choose are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you start with that foundation, and address the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. 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 Vancouver Washington.
Vancouver Barber Colleges | Vancouver How To Become A Barber