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What to Ask Barbering Colleges
Following is a series of questions that you need to investigate for any barber school you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Olympia Heights FL home, together with the cost of tuition, will probably be your primary qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue 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 need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have compiled several of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber training program you select 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 comply with their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for getting student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of Olympia Heights FL businesses will not employ 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 references from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly regarded. Check rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Olympia Heights FL barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. And last, consult 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 expansive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you choose 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 desire is to open a barber shop in Olympia Heights FL, 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 weak program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities demands plenty of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber courses you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that make it possible for students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a Olympia Heights FL barber school offers little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends heavily on using mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for acquiring your skills. So look for other schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's crucial that he or she gets help in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish aid develop relationships with area employers that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and ask which Olympia Heights FL area shops and businesses they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? The majority of barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you might 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 fulfills all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not omit it as an option until you learn what financial aid may be provided in Olympia Heights FL.