Questions to Ask Barber Training Programs
Below is a list of questions that you will want to investigate for any barber college you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Sun Prairie WI home, in addition to the price of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have put together several of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important to make certain that the barber training program you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available in Sun Prairie WI for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Each barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good starting point. 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, showing that their students are highly regarded. Check rating companies for reviews as well as the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Sun Prairie WI barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to propose others that you had not considered. And finally, consult the Wisconsin school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in complete 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, offering training in a particular specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you enroll in a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your ambition is to be trained as a barber, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your vision is to launch a barber shop in Sun Prairie WI, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly ranked school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and perfecting barbering skills and techniques requires lots of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber courses you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that make it possible for students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a Sun Prairie WI barber college furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead depends predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for cultivating your skills. Therefore try to find alternate schools that provide this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's crucial that she or he gets assistance in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish help develop relationships with local employers that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which Sun Prairie WI 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 extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Most barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students too. If a school meets all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not eliminate it as an option until you determine what financial assistance may be provided in Sun Prairie WI.