ITEC beauty therapy, the training room?

[Missa25]

Hey guys,
Has anyone heard about the itec beauty therapy course the training room provide? It sounds too good to be true, qualified in 12 weeks with a guaranteed job..
Iv tried looking online but there is hardly any reviews on it, would love to know if anyone has had success with it.

 

[laurakate]

Can't answer all of your questions but if it is a course where you attend every week it is entirely possible to complete the qualification in 12 weeks if it's good tuition with a relatively small class.

 

[andria su]

Is there a contact number to find out more info. I spoke to someone today about this company and she said it's reputable but if you get a job through them after they make commission from it. Keep us posted if you find out anything.

 

[Cathi44]

I'm not sure about 12 weeks but I did an ITEC Level 2 Beauty Specialist (full time study) in 6 months. To achieve the Beauty Therapist (Level3) qualification it would have been another 6 months on top. What's the qualification they're offering? Get in touch with ITEC to verify the course and training provider. I'm not quite sure how they can guarantee you a job. With who?

 

[andria su]

I was sceptical about the training too as that seems a pretty short time to complete a full level 2 or 3 unless it's like Full time you go to college more than one day a week there's a lot of work with itec but great qualification. I think they work alongside the cruise ships and other spas but not 100 percent sure how or if that's true

 

[demiciel]

Heya does anyone have any updates on how they got on with the training room? I spoke to an advisor this morning regarding part time study of L2 then onto L3 and it all sounds great but would be good to know if anyone else has had a positive experience with them!

 

[JemmaBeauty]

I did my training with the Training Room in Manchester. I have mixed feelings. Each group has their own tutor, so I can only comment on my personal experience. I'll try and be as honest as possible.
Firstly, I did level 2 and 3 by attending class every third weekend over a 9 month period. I was unable to do the 6 week option as I also worked full time whilst training. It is totally doable if you have the right attitude and dedication. This isn't like school, college or university though. I went to all 3 and I was very disappointed with lack of communication, organisation and teaching methods used during my course. Luckily I'm a pro-active person but it made learning very difficult.

Positives:

• I qualified with a high grade (although major side note: this is because I did a lot of work outside of class!)
• For those who fail any part of the qualification there are free re-sits (so you're basically guaranteed to pass)
• I got a spa job straight away with no hesitation
• In 9 months I went from an office job that I hated to working in a top Spa. Likewise, some of the girls that did the qualification in 6 weeks, now have successful beauty jobs.
• I now work for myself and I'm doing very well
• For those who can't afford to pay for the course upfront, they do provide a finance option.
• You receive an online account which has videos of most of the practical treatments, all theory and quizzes - I used this a lot!!

Negatives:

• Although you are provided with a kit on the first day, in order to practice at home you need to buy a lot more products and equipment.
• Training days are short, for example manicures: you spend an hour going through manicure theory, a couple of hours being shown how to do a full manicure (including all luxury extras!). Then you have lunch break, then you have some time practising on one another. The end. That's Manicures complete. What I'm trying to say if that you are literally shown the basics, and you are often only shown once, so in order to actually pass and be good at what you do, you need to take lots of notes and practice practice practice.
• I lacked major confidence during the course as I just didn't feel that I was shown enough or monitored enough. I never felt that I received appropriate feedback, and like I said, time in class was short.
• My group were not shown basics such as using hot towels in facials, how to drape towels etc etc. I did actually make a complaint whilst I was on the course although this wasn't taken seriously.
• In my experience my group were left to our own devices with paperwork, folders and written assessments - we often had no idea what we were doing and communication was pretty abysmal - so in level 2 we were all completing paperwork right before our practical assessments, everyone flapping and panicking - it was terrible!
• Tutors didn't always seem to know that we were supposed to be doing and when. As we missed out some very important areas of work, my class had to attend extra days - which for someone working full time was very difficult. So if you're doing the 6 weeks course and your tutor isn't on their A-Game, god knows how you would catch up??!!
• My class started with 13 people and finished with 4. Most ladies dropped out as they were unaware of the amount of work - it isn't an easy course. There is a lot to learn in a short amount of time, and as I said, you do most of this in your own time.
• Some people may see this point as a positive but I was shocked at how difficult it was to fail. There were people in my group who passed and I have no idea how!! ......it's shocking that they may now be working in the industry.
• Lastly, I think it can be a struggle to get people to take you seriously when you qualify in such a short amount of time. Although I did the exact same course as the girls that did it in 6 weeks, I did feel better about mine being over a 9 month period. I've had to work my socks off to prove myself and although thats made me the best that I can be, I'm sure there are people (and other professionals in the business) that would still be put off by my limited trainings. So I went on to do extra courses and CPD sessions.

Obviously I'm glad I did the course as it's gotten me where I am today and I'm very happy, but the course certainly isn't for everyone. It was hard work, draining, disappointing. 90% of the work is done in your own time outside of class so you have to be really motivated. Hope that helps. x

 

[demiciel]

Wow thank you so much for your detailed input that has really helped! I have been a bit worried that it covers so much in such a short time so I can understand it will take a lot of dedication to keep practicing and learn theory in between, I just hope my motivation levels continue throughout the whole course!

 

[Anastasia MT]

Wow thank you so much for your detailed input that has really helped! I have been a bit worried that it covers so much in such a short time so I can understand it will take a lot of dedication to keep practicing and learn theory in between, I just hope my motivation levels continue throughout the whole course!

Hi Demiciel
I'm also considering this course. Hope I'm not too late as it starts soon. I really want to do the training and get the qualification so I'm prepared to work hard as Jemma and Cat Lady suggest is required. Plus it doesn't stop there. Have you made your decision?

 

[demiciel]

Hi Demiciel
I'm also considering this course. Hope I'm not too late as it starts soon. I really want to do the training and get the qualification so I'm prepared to work hard as Jemma and Cat Lady suggest is required. Plus it doesn't stop there. Have you made your decision?

Hey Anastasia, I decided to go for it!

I'm booked onto the Chelmsford course starting on 26th November. Have you spoken to them regarding your nearest place?

So far the communication received has been really good. Obviously my course hasn't started yet but the lady I have been assigned to has already been in touch multiple times and gone through any of my questions.

The career support team have also been in touch to discuss my plans, which I said I was looking to work mobile part time alongside my job but after the course who knows If I'm not feeling 'ready' I may want to get into a salon but that isn't the plan currently. They were fine about that and sent me information about going self employed as a mobile beauty therapist but also said we have their support up to 3 years after the course if I change my mind and wanted to go into a salon.

I'm booked onto the CND shellac course the weekend before which is the only thing I'm kinda doing that backwards and the workbook to learn for that is quite a lot and that's just for the shellac system so starting to feel a bit worried about how much to learn with this. However if other people can do it working full time (and with kids too) why can't I / we!

The one other thing they've been adamant about so far is that you can't miss ANY of the training dates so might be worthwhile going through your calendar and making sure you can attend every 3rd weekend. You must attend because of the minimum number of training hours required for the course. My only 'bad weekend' is exams over my birthday weekend boo!

Good luck!!

 

[demiciel]

Oh one other thing, although they do offer a finance option of monthly payments to cover course fees... the interest rate is sky high!! I can't remember the exact figure but I'm pretty sure it was around the 40% mark.

So if you can afford to pay it out right that would be the best option however I know this isn't always do able. It would even be cheaper to put it on a credit card - if you can get an interest free card bonus! - as even a normal one is like 17% ish so you'd still save money but they charge a card fee of a couple percent.

Fortunately I've just taken mine out of my savings but I would've taken the finance option to help with cash flow if it was interest free!

 

[Anastasia MT]

Hi Demiciel
Initially I was going for the 9 month course but now feel I just want to get it out of the way, not getting any younger I was told that the nearest one to me was St Albans but not sure if it's the same for the 12 week course.
Yes, I'm closing my eyes and self financing to avoid the debt. God wiling I will be working soon after and have qualified as a massage therapist so ideally this will be a stream of income. Things will be tough to a degree but I have faith it will not remain so.
Thanks for responding so quickly. With the right support experience tells me that work/study/kids can be done

Best wishes
We can do it!!

 

[demiciel]

Ah really! I live inbetween the Chelmsford and St Albans one so I had a choice of either training however Chelmsford starts the end of this month and St Albans wasn't until the end of January so like you I just wanted to get started!

I believe for the 12 week course you may be able to get government funding if you are over 24 as this is what I was going to do but it wasn't available on the 9 month weekend study.

Good luck!! Let me know how you get on and maybe we can help each other out in the future if we need help or maybe some extra practice before we go onto real clients!

 

[Anastasia MT]

That makes sense. St Albans is closer for me I think. We should definitely stay in touch and support each other where we can.
I've just got a shock over the price as it seems more expensive to do the 12 week...

 

[Fizzypinkstuff]

Hiya I'm currently doing the 9 month course and love it. I work part time and have 2 small children, my only advice is stay on top of the course work and you'll be fine as it is very fast paced! I'm going into my 4th wkend soon which is makeup and the one I've been looking forward to the most! Good luck x

 

[demiciel]

Hiya I'm currently doing the 9 month course and love it. I work part time and have 2 small children, my only advice is stay on top of the course work and you'll be fine as it is very fast paced! I'm going into my 4th wkend soon which is makeup and the one I've been looking forward to the most! Good luck x

Oh that's great to hear you love it! Thanks for the advice, hopefully we can stay on top of the coursework; we all have good intentions in the beginning haha.

Funny you say that, makeup is the only module I've not been too overly excited about haha. Can't wait to do nails, eyelashes, massage, waxing the whole works but makeup meh!

Good luck with the rest of your course

 

[demiciel]

That makes sense. St Albans is closer for me I think. We should definitely stay in touch and support each other where we can.
I've just got a shock over the price as it seems more expensive to do the 12 week...

Yeah I saw that the 12 week was quite a bit more.. doesn't really make sense when it's in a shorter time.

I don't think I could manage the course load over 12 weeks it just doesn't seem long enough!

What are you going to do?

 

[Anastasia MT]

Yeah I saw that the 12 week was quite a bit more.. doesn't really make sense when it's in a shorter time.

I don't think I could manage the course load over 12 weeks it just doesn't seem long enough!

What are you going to do?

Hi there
I went for the 12 week and started this week!! Yikes!! No going back now. Nice group of people on the course.

 

[ClaireKirsten]

How are you doing on the course girls? I am considering it for January 2017. Any feedback would be really welcome as it seems to good to be true?! X

 

[demiciel]

How are you doing on the course girls? I am considering it for January 2017. Any feedback would be really welcome as it seems to good to be true?! X

Hi Claire,

I've done one weekend so far (mani & pedi) and although I am really enjoying it so far, don't go into the lessons blind otherwise I think you will struggle if you are a beginner.

We generally spend the morning going through a PowerPoint on theory which is very fast, tutor reading through the slides but no stopping to discuss anything. Personally I took a photo of each slide on my phone so I can go back and look at it as there wasn't enough time to write it down.. Fortunately I've already completed a nail qualification previously so I understood most of this weekend but i know many of the other girls were completely confused especially with all the technical names and terms of nail disorders. I would thoroughly suggest reading up on the module before the lesson.

The afternoon is then spent doing the practical work where you pair up. So day 1 we did luxury manicures with normal and French application then day 2 we did luxury pedicures including a paraffin wax with the first partner doing it along with the tutor which is very slow and the second partner having to do a quick job to be able to squeeze it in. As said previously you only get shown once so it is important to pay attention and take notes to practice in your own time. Everyone's polish application was pretty terrible to be honest. After the lesson was finished I had to re file and remove the polish from mine straight away as I was going out and it looked terrible haha.

My tutor is new to itec and although she's lovely I do feel she hasn't really got a clue what's going on lol. She knows her stuff from being in the industry a long time but is just reading off our PowerPoint, doesn't know how to pronounce the big words and keeps saying oh I wouldn't do it like this but if this is what the curriculum is saying then this is it... which for me isn't making me feel very confident lol.

It is definitely doable providing you put in a lot of your own time and do a lot of research before hand but someone going in blind and not doing any revision will struggle!

Good luck!