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Questions to Ask Barber Schools
Below is a series of questions that you need to look into for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Fort Myers FL residence, as well as the expense of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have compiled several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential to make certain that the barber college you pick 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not obtainable for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of Fort Myers FL businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Each barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating services for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Fort Myers FL barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. And finally, check with the Florida school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Some beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you enroll in a school that specializes in 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 respected for that program. If your desire is to start a barber shop in Fort Myers FL, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly ranked school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and mastering barbering techniques and abilities involves plenty of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a Fort Myers FL barber college provides limited or no scheduled live training, but rather relies mainly on using mannequins, it may not be the most effective alternative for cultivating your skills. So search for other schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a barber college, it's imperative that he or she gets support in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide aid maintain relationships with area employers that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which Fort Myers FL area shops and businesses they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Almost all barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you may qualify 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 meets all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not drop it as an alternative until you learn what financial assistance may be offered in Fort Myers FL.