Barbering Training Classes
How to Enroll In the Right One Near Southbridge Massachusetts
Now that you have decided to enroll in a barber school near Southbridge MA, the process begins to search for and select the right one. It's imperative that the school you pick not only provides the necessary instruction for the specialty you have decided on, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. You may be a little confused when starting your search for barbering programs as to the difference between cosmetology and beauty schools, since both offer barber training. Since the names are for all practical purposes interchangeable and pertain to the same type of school, you shouldn’t be. We'll discuss a little bit more regarding that in the following section. You will want to find a campus that is within reasonable driving distance of your residence unless you can relocate for training. Another qualification when evaluating possible barber schools is the price of tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best option just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Accreditation and reputation, for example are two of the other qualifications that you need to look into when weighing your school options. We will examine what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are considering later in this article. Before we do, let's talk a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of programs are offered.
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Barbering is Part of Cosmetology
Cosmetology is a profession that is all about making the human body look more beautiful with the use of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that numerous cosmetology schools are described as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but really a cosmetic can be almost anything that enhances the appearance of a person's skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a barber, almost all states require that you go through some type of specialized training and then become licensed. Once you are licensed, the work settings include not only Southbridge MA barber shops, but also such places as spas, hotels and resorts. Many barbers, once they have acquired experience and a customer base, open their own shops or salons. Others will start servicing clients either in their own homes or will travel to the client's residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many professional names and are employed in a wide variety of specialties including:
• Hairstylists
• Beauticians
• Barbers
• Manicurists
• Nail Technicians
• Makeup Artists
• Hair Coloring Specialists
• Estheticians
• Electrolysis Technicians
As earlier mentioned, in all states practicing barbers have to be licensed. In certain states there is an exception for cosmetologists in general. Only those offering more skilled services, for instance barbers or hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others employed in cosmetology and less skilled, which include shampooers, are not required to become licensed in those states.
Questions to Ask Barber Colleges
Following is a list of questions that you should research for any barber school you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Southbridge MA residence, together with the cost of tuition, will most likely be your primary qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those initial 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 important to make certain that the barber school you enroll in 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 can also be essential for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available 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 Southbridge MA employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Each barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating companies for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Southbridge MA barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to propose others that you had not considered. And last, check with the Massachusetts school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are broad 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 typically expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you choose 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 respected for that program. If your aspiration is to open a barber shop in Southbridge MA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly regarded school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.
Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Learning and refining barbering skills and techniques involves plenty of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber courses you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a Southbridge MA barber school provides little or no scheduled live training, but instead relies heavily on the use of mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for acquiring your skills. Therefore look for other schools that provide this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a barber college, it's important that he or she receives aid in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance maintain relationships with area businesses that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and find out which Southbridge MA area shops and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Almost all barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. 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 accessible 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 help may be provided in Southbridge MA.
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Choose the Best Southbridge Barber College
Finding and enrolling in the ideal barber school is important to receive the proper training to become a licensed professional. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel certain about your decision. Make sure to compile all of the responses you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to contrast schools. A sensible beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the school and program you decide on are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to start your new career as a professional barber in Southbridge Massachusetts.