How to Choose the Best Barber Training Program Near Yakima Washington
Now that you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Yakima WA, the task starts to search for and enroll in the ideal school. It's important that the school you pick not only furnishes the necessary instruction for the specialty you have chosen, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your initial search, you might be a little bit unclear 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 type of school. We'll talk a little bit more regarding that in the next section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to find a school that is within driving distance of your Yakima home. Tuition will additionally be an important aspect when reviewing prospective barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it's not always the ideal choice. There are several other qualifications that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are thinking about 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, 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 Colleges
Following is a list 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 Yakima WA residence, in addition to the price of tuition, will undoubtedly be your primary qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Following we have put together some of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber training program you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified local or national organization, 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 may also be important for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable in Yakima WA for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Each barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating services for reviews together with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Yakima WA barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to propose others that you had not thought of. And finally, contact the Washington school licensing authority to find out 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 broad 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 broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you choose a school that specializes in 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 respected for that program. If your desire is to start a barber shop in Yakima WA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach 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 Any Live Training Provided? Studying and perfecting barbering skills and techniques requires 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 developing talents on volunteers. If a Yakima WA barber college offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead relies predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for developing your skills. So look for other schools that provide this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's important that he or she receives aid in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance maintain relationships with area employers that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which Yakima WA area shops and businesses they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? The majority of barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students also. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not discard it as an alternative before you find out what financial help may be available in Yakima WA.
How to Choose a Barber College in Yakima
Choose in the Right Yakima Barber College
Locating and enrolling in the right barber college is important to obtain the appropriate training to become a licensed technician. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel positive about your decision. Be sure to organize all of the information you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to compare schools. A good beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the institution and program you decide on are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you begin with that base, and answer the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the ideal choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are ready to launch your new career as a professional barber in Yakima Washington.