Questions to Ask Barber Training Programs
Below is a series of questions that you need to research for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your West Bend WI residence, in addition to the expense of tuition, will probably be your initial 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 preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have compiled several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make certain that the barber training program you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for getting student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in West Bend WI for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Any barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly demanded. Check rating services for reviews together with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with West Bend WI barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. Finally, check with the Wisconsin school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you select a school that focuses on 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 vision is to start a barber shop in West Bend WI, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly ranked school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Practicing and mastering barbering skills and techniques involves plenty of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber lessons you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that make it possible for students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a West Bend WI barber college offers limited or no scheduled live training, but instead depends mainly on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for cultivating your skills. So look for other schools that provide this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a barber school, it's important that he or she gets help in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide aid develop relationships with area employers that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which West Bend WI area shops and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm 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. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students too. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not eliminate it as an alternative until you determine what financial assistance may be provided in West Bend WI.