Barbering Classes
How to Enroll In the Best One Near Pittsfield Massachusetts

Now that you have made the decision to become a barber, you must enroll in the best barber school near Pittsfield MA to receive your training. Because barbers are licensed in all 50 states, the school you select should prep you to pass the licensing test as well as provide the proper training for your specialty. When you start your initial search, you might be a little bit confused about the distinction 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. You will want to find a campus that is within reasonable commuting distance of your home unless you are willing to relocate for training. Tuition will likewise be an important aspect when reviewing potential barber schools. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best choice 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 should look into when weighing your school options. We will examine what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are looking at later in this article. Before we do, let's talk a bit about barbering as a career.

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Why Choose Barbering?

Hairstyles are increasingly being considered by people to be a projection of their personalities.  As a result, barbers are still very much in demand. However, most people are looking for trained professionals and will not just drop in on any Pittsfield MA barber shop displaying a red, white and blue pole. Training to become a barber is a career move that offers many benefits for those that are both artistic and sociable.  The artistic side is indulged by creating a plethora of different and sometimes challenging hairstyles. The social aspect obviously comes into play by keeping the customer engaged while creating your masterpiece. In fact, some barbers are so proud of their artistic accomplishments that they will take photos of their finished hairstyles and post them on their websites as a portfolio to attract new clients.  And barbering lends itself to a more intimate form of customer service by providing time with the client while cutting his (or her) hair.  This time spent together can lead to the development of a rapport or even a new friendship. As a result, many customers come back not only because they are pleased with the service, but also to enjoy the social amenities that their neighborhood barbershop can offer.

What to Ask Barber Schools

Below is a series of questions that you need to research for any barber school you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Pittsfield MA residence, in addition to the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly be your primary qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber school. Following we have put together several of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final determination.

Is the Barber College Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber training program you pick 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for securing student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous Pittsfield MA businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation?  Any barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Pittsfield MA barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to propose others that you had not looked into. Finally, check with the Massachusetts school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus?  A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you decide on a school that focuses on 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 well regarded for that program. If your aspiration is to open a barber shop in Pittsfield MA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.

Is Any Hands-On Training Provided?  Practicing and refining barbering skills and techniques involves lots of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber classes you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that enable students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a Pittsfield MA barber school furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead depends heavily on using mannequins, it might not be the best option for acquiring your skills. So look for alternate schools that offer this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  When a student graduates from a barber school, it's imperative that she or he receives assistance in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide assistance maintain relationships with area employers that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and ask which Pittsfield MA area shops and businesses they refer students to. In addition, find out 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 Offered?  The majority of barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students also. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not omit it as an option before you learn what financial aid may be provided in Pittsfield MA.

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Enroll in the Right Pittsfield Barber School

Picking and enrolling in the right barber school is essential to receive the necessary training to become a licensed practitioner. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel certain about your decision. Make certain to organize all of the information you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to compare schools. A good beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the school and program you choose are accredited and have excellent reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and answer the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the ideal choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be confident that you are qualified to launch your new career as a professional barber in Pittsfield Massachusetts.

 

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