How to Find the Right Barber Training Program Near Wheeling West Virginia
Since you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Wheeling WV, the process begins to find and enroll in the right school. It's imperative that the school you select not only provides the appropriate instruction for the specialty you have decided on, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your preliminary search, you might be somewhat puzzled 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 pertain to the same kind of school. We'll discuss a bit more concerning that in the following section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Wheeling home. Tuition will additionally be an important factor when reviewing prospective barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it's not automatically the ideal choice. There are various other considerations that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are looking at later within 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 Choose Barbering?
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.
What to Ask Barbering Training Programs
Below is a list 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 Wheeling WV residence, in addition to the price of tuition, will probably be your primary qualifiers. Whether you would like 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 initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Following we have put together several of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber college you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available in Wheeling WV for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement 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 might look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Any barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Wheeling WV barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to propose others that you had not thought of. Finally, contact the West Virginia 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? Many beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you select a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your intention 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 dream is to open a barber shop in Wheeling WV, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly regarded school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Learning and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities demands plenty of practice on volunteers. Check 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 developing talents on volunteers. If a Wheeling WV barber college offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends mainly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the most effective alternative for acquiring your skills. Therefore try to find alternate schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a barber college, it's essential that he or she gets help in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide help maintain relationships with area businesses that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which Wheeling WV area shops and establishments they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Many barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Speak 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 available to students also. If a school meets each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not eliminate it as an option before you find out what financial aid may be provided in Wheeling WV.
How to Train to Be a Barber in Wheeling
Enroll in the Best Wheeling Barber School
Picking and enrolling in the ideal barber training program is important to get the necessary training to become a licensed professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel certain about your decision. Don't forget to collect all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that data to compare schools. A sensible start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the school and program you select are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the profession. If you begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to narrow down 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 qualified to launch your career as a professional barber in Wheeling West Virginia.