Questions & Answers
Q - What is beauty therapy?
A - In its most basic form beauty therapy is anything that involves making a customer (normally called a client) look and feel better. This can be externally obvious treatments such as painting and extending nails and waxing legs through to electrical face and body treatments and spa treatments.
Q - What are my career choices?
A - The training route you take will influence the range of job opportunities available to you. For example if you study and successfully pass the examination for The Beauty Specialist Diploma you will be able to apply for the following positions: Beauty Specialist Manicurist/pedicurist Nail technician Waxing technician Make up Front of house/customer care Sales representative Technical representative Teaching If, having studied The Beauty Specialist Diploma, you can go on to study the Beauty Therapy Diploma. On successful completion you will be able to apply for the following additional positions: Beauty Therapist Spa TherapistElectrologist Masseuse Assistant manager Manager
Q - Do I have to work full time? I ask as I have children and part time would suit me?
A - This industry is well placed for part time work in fact the number of part time workers has increased by 13.8 per cent*. For the first time ever, there are now more part time workers than full time workers.* Guild survey 2008
Q - In what kind of places can I work?
A - There are a great variety of employment possibilities, for example:
High St Beauty Salons
Day Spas
Residential Spas
Supplier companies i.e. equipment, skin care and consumables
Hotels
Colleges and private training providers (like us)
Q - Can I work for myself?
A - Yes - you can have your own salon; you can rent a room in someone else’s salon or a similar business such as a hairdresser. You can offer a mobile service and if you specialise in a particular treatment or therapy you can also offer your services to other salons e.g. red vein removal
Q - Do I have to do all The Beauty Specialist Diploma subjects/modules?
A - Most students prefer to do all the subjects/modules together, however we do offer the option of modular training. This allows you to train in the modules you want for your chosen career path, for example if you only want to do nails or waxing and nothing else you need only do the manicure and pedicure or waxing modules. However the complete Beauty Specialist will give you more career options as well as an in depth understanding of the industry you are about to enter.
Q - Do I have to do it all at once or can I spread the learning?
A - Students with commitments such as children or a job sometimes prefer to spread their learning but the quicker you get trained the quicker you can begin your career in professional beauty. It is also cheaper to book and pay to do all the courses at once rather than on a module by module basis. It is really down to your personal choice and what best suits your circumstances. We run our courses on a ‘roll on roll off’ system which allows you to join a module when best for you.
Q - After I’ve done The Beauty Specialist do I have to do the full Beauty Therapy Diploma or can I do just the modules I’m interested in?
A - As the system is modular you can dip in and out of the timetable and just do individual modules/subjects such as Face and Body Electrics as an example. We are totally flexible in our training approach in everything but the standards we expect in which there is no compromise.
Q - Other than the course fees what else do I need to buy to complete the course?
A - You will need to buy a student kit for each module which will include all that is required for you to undertake that module. The only other costs will be our required uniform consisting of salon wear and nurses watch.
Q - Do I need any educational qualifications to be accepted onto the Beauty Specialist and Body Therapist Diplomas or individual modules?
A - No - We aren’t so concerned about educational qualifications as personal qualities which we will ascertain during the interview process. However good spoken and written English is required and an understanding of biology would be helpful. Most importantly is a desire to learn and being mature minded.
Examples of Employers:
Dove Spa
Dove Spa is a passionate company offering All beauty treatments from waxing to botox treatments to clients throughout London. The company started in 2000 and has grown to 29 salons and spas in just five years. The salons are situated from Jersey in the South to Poulton-Le-Fylde in Lancashire whilst the day spas can be found within 11 Virgin active clubs across London and the surrounding areas.
The in house training programmes take the therapist further forward in technical knowledge, practical application and in the crucial area of Customer Service to give customers the most effective advice and treatments. Recent introductions have included acupuncture, the addition of nutrition advice, the testing of body fat, cholesterol and blood pressure measurement plus the latest in hair removal techniques and beauty and well-being treatments.
All therapists are trained to a high standard, such as ITEC International or at least NVQ Level 3 significantly higher than the vast majority of similar outlets in the UK. Re-aqua has one of the most comprehensive ranges of skincare and well-being ranges for sale including Aromatherapy Associates, Clarins, Decleor, Dermalogica, Elemis, Jessica, St Tropez, to name a few, for clients to purchase by mail order. The company also sells gift vouchers and spa packages on-line, which are gift wrapped and can be personalised for those special occasions.
Virgin Active
Beauty is not skin-deep, we know that’s why we’ve created a unique spa experience to indulge mind and body. Step inside, and discover a world of transformational beauty treatments and advanced therapies. Then, step outside feeling refreshed, revitalised, and truly exhilarated from your time with us.
Our therapists are highly qualified professionals, so you can be confident in their expertise, and benefit from some of the most advanced face and body treatments available. Restore flagging energy levels, rejuvenate tired looking skin, massage tense, aching muscles, or treat yourself to a range of salon services. Or why not have a little bit of each? We offer custom spa packages and gift vouchers to suit all budgets. Then, if you just can’t bear to leave us at the end, choose from a wide selection of luxury skincare and beauty products available for purchase, and bring a little piece of heaven home with you.
HeavenV is open to both members and non-members, seven days a week.
Aqua Sana
Aqua Sana have brought together an array of sensuous Spa experiences from every corner of the globe, all designed to offer our guests the very best heat and water sensations, to aid relaxation. Find out more about Aqua Sana Wold of Spa and our philosophy. If you’ve never been to a Spa before, Aqua Sana is a wonderful place to start, but take a moment to get a feel for the Spa atmosphere and how to get the most from your experience from the advice we’ve offered.
The benefits of Spa have been know for centuries, but are perhaps even more essential today as our lives get busier and more demanding, and we all appreciate the rewards of investing in our well being. Read our summary of some of the key points in Spa history and find out how the Center Parcs’ Aqua Sana Spa has developed itself.
Q - What qualifications do you offer?
A -
GMT TEC academy module certificates in beauty and business subjects
ITEC Record of achievement per subject (exam)
ITEC qualification as a Beauty Specialist (exam)
ITEC logo
· ITEC is one of the largest international examination board offering a variety of qualifications worldwide. Recognised in over 35 countries; an ITEC qualification will help you wherever you choose to work.
· ITEC provides over 35 qualifications that are UK government accredited by the Office of the Qualifications and Examination Regulator (OFQUAL), on behalf of the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS), and are registered on the National Qualifications Framework in the UK.
· ITEC qualifications are supported by industry and are easily transportable nationally and internationally.
· ITEC has ensured that best practice in the work place has been reflected in the syllabus for each qualification and each has been linked to the relevant job role, as well as ensuring that the syllabus reflects the required level of knowledge and skill needed for a practicing therapist.
Q - What salary can I expect?
A- Salary depends on experience; an indication of average salaries is below:
Junior therapist £ 6.00 per hour plus commission
Therapist £ 8.00 per hour plus commission
Senior therapist £ 10.00 per hour plus commission
Assistant manager £15,000 per annum plus commission
Manager £ 24,000 per annum plus commission