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Questions to Ask Barbering Colleges
Below is a series of questions that you need to investigate for any barber school you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Sarasota FL home, as well as the price of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably 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 need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have put together some of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber school you pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national organization, 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 important for securing student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of Sarasota FL businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Each barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials 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 regarded. Visit rating companies for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Sarasota FL barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to propose others that you had not looked into. And last, consult the Florida school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Many beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you decide on a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your ambition is to be trained as a barber, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your aspiration is to launch a barber shop in Sarasota FL, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and mastering barbering skills and techniques requires plenty of practice on volunteers. Check 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 volunteers. If a Sarasota FL barber school provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead depends predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for cultivating your skills. Therefore look for alternate schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's imperative that he or she gets help in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide aid develop relationships with local employers that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which Sarasota FL area shops and organizations they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Many barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students as well. If a school meets each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not omit it as an alternative before you determine what financial aid may be provided in Sarasota FL.