Barbering Training
How to Choose the Right One Near Fitchburg Massachusetts

Now that you have made the decision to begin your career in barbering, you must enroll in the best barber college near Fitchburg MA to get your training. It's essential that the program you select not only provides the proper education for the specialty you have chosen, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you might be somewhat puzzled about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are essentially interchangeable and both refer to the same type of school. We'll talk a little bit more concerning that in the following segment. You will need to find a school that is within reasonable commuting distance of your home unless you are willing to relocate for training. An additional consideration when examining possible barbering schools is the cost of tuition. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the lowest in cost it's not necessarily the best choice. There are several other qualifications that you should weigh when reviewing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are looking at later in this article. Before we do, let's talk a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of courses are offered.

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Barbering is Part of Cosmetology

Cosmetology is a profession that is everything about making the human body look more attractive with the use of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic can be almost anything that improves the look of a person's skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a barber, the majority of states require that you go through some kind of specialized training and then be licensed. Once licensed, the work environments include not only Fitchburg MA barber shops, but also such places as spas, hotels and resorts. Many barbers, once they have gotten experience and a customer base, launch their own shops or salons. Others will begin seeing customers either in their own homes or will travel to the client's home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many professional names and are employed in a wide range of specializations including:

• Hairstylists
• Beauticians
• Barbers
• Manicurists
• Nail Technicians
• Makeup Artists
• Hair Coloring Specialists
• Estheticians
• Electrolysis Technicians

As earlier mentioned, in all states working barbers have to be licensed. In a few states there is an exemption for cosmetologists in general. Only those conducting more skilled services, for example barbers or hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people employed in cosmetology and less skilled, including shampooers, are not required to become licensed in those states.

What to Ask Barbering Colleges

Following is a series of questions that you should investigate for any barber school you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Fitchburg MA home, as well as the cost of tuition, will most likely be your primary qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have compiled several of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final determination.

Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber training program you choose 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 assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous Fitchburg MA businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation?  Every barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Fitchburg 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 propose others that you had not thought of. Finally, consult the Massachusetts school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty?  Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you select a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your intention is to be trained as a barber, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your aspiration is to open a barber shop in Fitchburg MA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly ranked school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you require.

Is Any Live Training Provided?  Studying and perfecting barbering skills and techniques requires plenty of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a Fitchburg MA barber school furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but rather depends predominantly on using mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for cultivating your skills. So try to find alternate schools that offer this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's imperative that he or she gets assistance in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer aid maintain relationships with local businesses that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which Fitchburg MA area shops and organizations they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Assistance Available?  Almost all barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and find out 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 also. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not drop it as an option before you determine what financial assistance may be offered in Fitchburg MA.

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Choose the Right Fitchburg Barber School

Locating and enrolling in the right barber training program is important to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed practitioner. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel positive about your decision. Make certain to compile 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 good beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the institution and program you pick are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the ideal choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are ready to start your career as a professional barber in Fitchburg Massachusetts.

 

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