Barbering Training
How to Find the Best One Near Pleasanton California

Now that you have decided to become a barber, you must find the right barber school near Pleasanton CA to get your training. It's imperative that the program you choose not only provides the appropriate instruction for the specialty you have chosen, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. You may be somewhat puzzled when beginning your search for barbering classes as to the difference between beauty and cosmetology schools, since both offer barber training. Because the names are for all practical purposes interchangeable and relate to the same kind of school, you shouldn’t be. We'll speak a bit more about that in the upcoming segment. You will want to find a campus that is within reasonable commuting distance of your residence unless you plan to relocate for training. Another consideration when examining possible barber schools is the cost of tuition. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the lowest in cost it's not automatically the right choice. Reputation and accreditation, for example are among the other qualifications that you need to look into when comparing schools. We will review what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are considering later in this article. Before we do, let's discuss a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of courses are available.

It Takes Just a Few Minutes to Start Your Barbering Career Below

Barbering and Cosmetology

Cosmetology is a profession that is all about making the human body look more beautiful through the application of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are regarded as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic may be anything that improves the appearance of a person's skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a barber, almost all states require that you take some kind of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work environments include not only Pleasanton CA barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many barbers, after they have gained experience and a customer base, open their own shops or salons. Others will begin servicing clients either in their own homes or will go to the client's home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have many titles and are employed in a wide variety of specializations including:

• Hairstylists
• Beauticians
• Barbers
• Manicurists
• Nail Technicians
• Makeup Artists
• Hair Coloring Specialists
• Estheticians
• Electrolysis Technicians

As previously mentioned, in all states practicing barbers must be licensed. In some states there is an exemption for cosmetologists in general. Only those conducting more skilled services, for example barbers or hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others employed in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.

What to Ask Barber Schools

Following is a list of questions that you need to research for any barber college you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Pleasanton CA home, in addition to the price of tuition, will probably be your primary qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt 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 should research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Following we have collected several of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final determination.

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 certified local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of Pleasanton CA businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have an Excellent Reputation?  Each barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses 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 connections with Pleasanton CA barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. Finally, consult the California school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty?  A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you select a school that focuses on 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 well regarded for that program. If your desire is to start a barber shop in Pleasanton CA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly rated school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.

Is Any Live Training Provided?  Learning and mastering barbering skills and techniques involves lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber courses you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a Pleasanton CA barber school offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather relies heavily on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best option for acquiring your skills. Therefore try to find other schools that furnish this type of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's crucial that she or he gets assistance in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer help maintain relationships with area businesses that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which Pleasanton CA area shops and establishments they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Assistance Offered?  Almost all barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you might 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 meets all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not drop it as an alternative before you learn what financial assistance may be offered in Pleasanton CA.

Get More Info on Becoming a Barber in Pleasanton

Enroll in the Right Pleasanton Barber School

Picking and enrolling in the ideal barber school is essential to get the appropriate training to become a licensed practitioner. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel certain about your decision. Don't forget to collect all of the information you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that information to compare schools. A sensible 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 base, and answer the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are prepared to launch your new career as a professional barber in Pleasanton California.

 

Pleasanton Barber Colleges Near Me | Pleasanton Barbering Courses