It Takes Just a Few Minutes to Start Your Barbering Career Below
What to Ask Barber Schools
Below is a list of questions that you need to investigate for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Fleming Island FL home, as well as the price of tuition, will probably be your initial qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have reduced 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. Below we have compiled some of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's essential 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 organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous Fleming Island FL businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Each barber college 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 testimonials from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly regarded. Check rating companies for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Fleming Island FL barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. Finally, contact the Florida school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of beauty 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 example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you pick 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 respected for that program. If your desire is to open a barber shop in Fleming Island FL, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Practicing and perfecting barbering skills and techniques demands lots of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber classes you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that enable students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a Fleming Island FL barber school furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but rather depends heavily on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for developing your skills. Therefore look for 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 provide help develop relationships with area employers that are searching for trained graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and find out which Fleming Island FL area shops and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Many barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school is a member of 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 before you learn what financial assistance may be offered in Fleming Island FL.