Hi everyone, I'm totally new to this site. I hope this is the right section for my question. Basically, I want to be a nail technician. But I cannot attend college everyday right now to do a nvq/svq as I am a mum to 2 youngsters. I looked into an at home course or fast track courses at academies with case studies to do at home. These would give me a diploma which they say is enough to qualify me. I'm unsure if it's enough for an employer, as I don't know if they'd prefer svq/nvq. I don't want to waste time doing a course only to find it's no good. Thanks to all who help.

I don't know what part of scotland you're from but I can thoroughly recomend the CND training at the Fingertips Center in Edinbourgh.
The foundation courses are spread out over a few weeks a day at a time with practise time inbetween, I believe ( mayby some other geeks that have done this course could clarify this).

Why cant you do an evening course?

I have two babies myself and just finishing an NVQ2 which was done one evening a week for a year.

You wont go wrong by doing this course hun

Hi, thanks for the replies. Evening classes are out as the nearest college doing them is over 30 miles away. I am in Ayrshire, so Edinburgh is a bit far for me.

Fair enough
I'm in Anglesey, North Wales,stayed in Ayr and went to Eniburgh to do some training .
Mayby I didn't have to travel quiet so far for my training but it was worth it .
If you can don't put the distance off you from seeking the best training..I'm not saying you have to go as far as me, that was my choice, but sometimes it's worth a compromise.
Good luck

Are diplomas honestly good enough to get a job though? I was concerned as I thought if I couldn't go to college to do an NVQ/SVQ then no employer would consider me.

what a bugger!

Oh failing that id just do the nearest course available then make damm sure that every salon i approached i did a demo for. Nothing will speak louder than a practical demonstration of your skills.

Hell, i would grab a mate and start doing her nails in the salon reception!! LOL!

OK I'm probably going to be shot for this but...
As an employer, going from my experience of my college training, I would consider employing someone that has recievd training from a company like CND before someone straight from college.

I have to add not all college training is the same but the majority have to concentrate so much on health & safety legistations in the lessons it leaves little time for teaching 'nails'.
I left college with very little knowladge about prep, product application, ratios, different grits on abrasives etc but I knew a hell of a lot about risk assesments .( shame they didn't cover overexposure in that but that's another story )

What I'm trying to say is my own little way is that you will get more out of a private training course than you will out of college training to prepare you for the industry IN MY OPINION.

BUT....

if you do decide on the private training route do your homework carefully and make sure you choose a reputable company that will give you a qualification that will entitle you to insurance.

Others may disagree with me but I'm talking from my own experience.

Ring around some of your local salons and ask them what their requirements would be,
as an example, i would not employ anyone that had not been CND trained and i wouldn't employ someone with a college qualification until they had had further training from CND, hth

Is CND Creative nails? Already emailed a few salons, not heard back yet.

Yes.

I emailed 2 salons but neither got back to me. I ended up calling a few salons, a couple were pretty helpful. All said different things though.

Salon 1) Owner Sarah* said NVQ isn't good enough as there is hardly any salon work involved, it's mainly essays. She has no staff with NVQ's, only diplomas. She did have a couple of girls with NVQ's, but they had to retrain with Creative Nails Academy. She said cost wise, it's better. Fast track courses are OK, but advises buying a "hand" to practice on, as nearly 1 year's practice is needed.

Salon 2) Owner Amy* said in her salon she is the only one who does nails and she has a diploma. She recommended NSI???

Salon 3) Owner Laura* spent ages chatting to me and I left her my number and she said she will call me back with more info. She also recommended Creative Nails Academy, or an evening class at college. She said to practice daily, ideally on a training hand, as you tend to "forget" if you stop. I said there were no evening classes nearby, but apparently, students are sent to her and her salon as they are having problems with their SVQ courses in college. She said some of the lecturers at college are awful, and she was a lecturer in another college some years ago, but is considering doing the evening class at my nearest college in August.

Salon 4) Owner Emma* said she only believes in S/NVQ's and doesn't believe in anything less. She hasn't heard of fast track courses, and they sound dodgy to her as it's hardly any "hands on" experience. She said evening class over 6 months and you are fully qualified. I said again there are no local evening classes, and she said if there are none, do NSI???

Just so you know I changed their names lol. Does anyone know any more about NSI or Creative?

Creative is what we all call CND (creative Nail Design)
give the head office a call and ask for training info, they will post it out to you,
ask them your questions too, they are really helpful,
this is the number 0845 210 6060
they are open Mon to Fri 10 am to 4 pm

hth

I think you have done some good research there.
Only thing I can add to help you is that mayby you could call the companies sugested to you and weigh up your options from there.

Just to add any course you attend will need a lot of practise before you start on paying clients...it won't happen overnight.

Neither the NSI or CND courses are 'fast track' or dodgy and yes you have a certifiate at the end of a course, saying you are qualified, wether it be SVQ or private but practise and experience are your biggest teachers.