Barbering Training Courses
How to Select the Best One Near Fairhaven Massachusetts
Now that you have made the decision to begin your career in barbering, you must enroll in the best barber college near Fairhaven MA to get your training. It's essential that the school you choose not only furnishes the proper instruction for the specialty you have selected, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. You might be a little puzzled when starting your search for barbering classes as to the difference between beauty and cosmetology schools, since both provide barber training. Well don't be, because the names are pretty much interchangeable and both pertain to the same kind of school. We'll speak a little bit more concerning that in the next segment. You will need to find a campus that is within reasonable driving distance of your home unless you can relocate for training. Tuition will also be a critical consideration when reviewing potential barber schools. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right option just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Reputation and accreditation, as examples are two of the other qualifications that you need to look into when weighing your school options. We will go over what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are thinking about later in this article. Before we do, let's discuss a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of training programs are offered.
It Takes Just a Few Minutes to Start Your Barbering Career Below
Barbering is Part of Cosmetology
Cosmetology is an occupation that is everything about making the human body look more attractive through the use of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that many cosmetology schools are regarded as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but actually a cosmetic can be almost anything that improves the appearance of a person's skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a barber, the majority of states require that you take some kind of specialized training and then be licensed. Once licensed, the work settings include not only Fairhaven MA barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many barbers, once they have acquired experience and a customer base, open their own shops or salons. Others will begin seeing customers either in their own homes or will go to the client's residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many professional names and work in a wide variety of specialties including:
• Hairstylists
• Beauticians
• Barbers
• Manicurists
• Nail Technicians
• Makeup Artists
• Hair Coloring Specialists
• Estheticians
• Electrolysis Technicians
As already stated, in all states working barbers have to be licensed. In a few states there is an exception for cosmetologists in general. Only those performing more skilled services, for example barbers or hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people employed in cosmetology and less skilled, which include shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.
What to Ask Barber Colleges
Following is a series of questions that you need to look into for any barber college you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Fairhaven MA residence, as well as the cost of tuition, will most likely be your primary qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have put together some of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make certain that the barber training program you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized 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 ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for getting student loans or financial aid, which typically 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 Fairhaven MA businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Every barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Verify 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 agencies. If you have any relationships with Fairhaven MA barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. And last, check with the Massachusetts school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Many beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you select a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your ambition 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 start a barber shop in Fairhaven MA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly ranked school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Any Live Training Provided? Learning and perfecting barbering skills and techniques demands plenty of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a Fairhaven MA barber school provides limited or no scheduled live training, but instead relies predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the most effective alternative for developing your skills. Therefore search for alternate schools that provide this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a barber college, it's imperative that she or he receives help in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide assistance develop relationships with area businesses that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which Fairhaven MA area shops and organizations they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Most barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students too. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not discard it as an option until you learn what financial assistance may be provided in Fairhaven MA.
Get More Info on Training to Become a Barber in Fairhaven
Enroll in the Right Fairhaven Barber College
Picking and enrolling in the ideal barber school is important to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel certain about your decision. Make certain to organize all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that information to contrast schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the school and program you choose are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. If you start with that base, and address the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to begin your career as a professional barber in Fairhaven Massachusetts.