Barbering Training
How to Choose the Best One Near Plymouth Massachusetts
Now that you have decided to begin your career in barbering, you must enroll in the right barber school near Plymouth MA to get your training. It's essential that the school you pick not only furnishes the appropriate education for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your preliminary search, you might be a little bit unclear about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are pretty much interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. In the following section that will be discussed in a little more detail. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will want to choose a school that is within driving distance of your residence. Another qualification when examining possible barbering schools is the cost of tuition. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the lowest in cost it's not necessarily the best choice. There are various other considerations that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. 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 types of programs are available.
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Barbering is Part of Cosmetology
Cosmetology is an occupation that is all 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 described as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but actually a cosmetic can be anything that improves the appearance of a person's skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a barber, almost all states require that you undergo some type of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work environments include not only Plymouth MA barber shops, but also such places as spas, hotels and resorts. Many barbers, after they have gotten experience and a client base, launch their own shops or salons. Others will start seeing clients either in their own homes or will travel to the client's house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have many names and are employed in a wide range of specialties including:
• Hairstylists
• Beauticians
• Barbers
• Manicurists
• Nail Technicians
• Makeup Artists
• Hair Coloring Specialists
• Estheticians
• Electrolysis Technicians
As formerly 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, such as barbers or hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people working in cosmetology and less skilled, which include shampooers, are not required to become licensed in those states.
What to Ask Barber Colleges
Below is a list of questions that you need to investigate for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Plymouth MA home, together with the expense of tuition, will undoubtedly be your initial qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Following we have put together some of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the barber school you select 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous Plymouth MA employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Any barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly demanded. Check rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Plymouth MA barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to propose others that you had not thought of. And last, consult the Massachusetts school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you enroll in a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your objective is to be trained as a barber, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your aspiration is to open a barber shop in Plymouth MA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Any Live Training Provided? Practicing and perfecting barbering skills and techniques demands plenty of practice on people. Find out 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 allow students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a Plymouth MA barber school offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends predominantly on using mannequins, it might not be the best option for developing your skills. Therefore search for alternate schools that provide this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a barber school, it's crucial that he or she receives support in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish aid maintain relationships with area employers that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which Plymouth MA area shops and organizations they refer students to. Also, 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 Available? Almost all barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students also. If a school meets all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not eliminate it as an option before you determine what financial help may be available in Plymouth MA.
Learn More on Learning to Become a Barber in Plymouth
Enroll in the Best Plymouth Barber College
Finding and enrolling in the ideal barber training program is imperative to get the necessary training to become a licensed technician. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel confident about your decision. Make sure to consolidate all of the information you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to contrast schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the college and program you decide on are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, and answer the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are ready to begin your career as a professional barber in Plymouth Massachusetts.