NVQ or CIBTAC, please help!

[snyggiss]

hi guys, I am about to change my career and would like some advice on NVQ and CIBTAC. theres tons of info and ive done so much reasearch but why exactly should i do cibtac rather than NVQ which is cheaper?! The reason I am having doubts is because I live an international life, Ive lived in 3 countries so far and will want to continue in Europe mostly as i know the only qualification in the US is CIDESCO! so, my question is, will I be able to work abroad with NVQ levels 2 and 3? I would like to specialize in skin treatments and have been looking at CIBTAC aesthetic treatmens course (The London School of Beauty & Make-Up - 25 Week CIBTAC Aesthetic Treatments Diploma (Wednesday - Friday) CB04) since i am not so interested in the massage but I want enough skills to be employable! any advise which course I should do? I can not afford the cidesco course and i can baerly afford the others (i will really have to stretch and take a loan!) so I would really like to invest wisely! Plase help??? NVQ is it enough??

Also, Im scared of the amount of learning in cibtac as i have mild dyslexia, what happens if you fail an exam, can you re take? i would of course do my BEST TO succeed with that money spent!!!!

 

[BeautyDiaries]

Hi there
Pretty much all British qualifications are world recognized and far more highly regarded than any other. This includes qualifications from:
Edexcel - HND and BTECs
CIBTAC & CIDESCO
ITEC
City & Guilds - NVQs and VRQs
VTCT - NVQs and VRQs

The only ones that I believe arent recognized outside of the UK are those from SQA - NCGAs and SVQs (although I could be wrong)

All are equivalents of each other it's just that CIBTAC & CIDESCO were always seen as 'the prestigious beauty qual' although again I'm not sure if this is the case these days

I teach NVQ currently, and have taught HNDs as well, and both have their merits. The best thing you can do is suss out your nearest providers and see who you feel more confident in with regards support, delivery, course content, additional optional courses etc etc

As for dyslexia that should never be an issue as far as your education is concerned. I can tell you now that you will be entitled to free additional support to assist with course work and preparation for exams, from both tour tutors and from an additional department specialising in providing such support. In both colleges I have worked in those with additional learning requirements we're also entitled to extra time during an exam and/or a reader or scribe

I hope that helps and good luck finding the right course for you

Sam

xoxo

 

[snyggiss]

Hello
Thanks very much for this. |t is really difficult to make a decision as I have asked several sources and everyone is giving me different answers, some say that NVQ is just a national qualification and that it does work in most countries but it is never guaranteed, so cibtac and cidesco are better etc and you are more likely to get employment as it’s a higher qualification……….. but looking at many courses I find that there are more being offered on NVQ than cibtac for a lower price and I am using all my savings for this so I want to use it wisely. Do you know if the London school of beauty and make up is good as that’s the school I have been looking at after visiting a few……
Thanks again! :lol:

 

[gillian w]

The standards of teaching can vary greatly with training NVQ (which is certainly well recognised and accepted within the EU ) or CIBTAC.Some people will have had a wonderful experience and will have learnt a lot with a good knowledgable teacher and others will have had a terrible time and qualified with little knowledge and no confidence.

Do you know anything about the standards of teaching at the colleges you are looking at and what sort of reputation they have.

The FE colleges should be having their open days soon so definately go along to them and talk to the tutors in the beauty therapy department.Find out how much industry experience they have had etc.

With regards to your dislexia i think all fe colleges for nvq have to have some help in place for anyone with difficulties.When you apply on the application form it will ask you if you have any problems.

May i add you may not be interested in massage but future employers definately will be.You really should think about doing some form of body massage as well.

 

[snyggiss]

Hi Gillian
Thanks for this... I am now starting to think that perhaps ts enough for me to do NVQ........... its more affordable too.
The London School of Beauty and Make up is one of the biggest and best ones.. well thats what i have heard! I have visited a few and think this one is good and id rather pay a little more to get a high standard of teaching.
Perhaps i could do cibtac aesthetics and NVQ body......... an idea too,...
anyhow, thanks for the advice!¬!!

 

[BeautyDiaries]

After I did my NVQ I worked abroad for a year in both Greece and Antigua so I know that an NVQ is world recognized. I also know a lady who worked in Australia with her NVQ for about a year. I came back home to do a HND which without I don't think I could have got into teaching (those were my own circumstances though, you can teach with an NVQ)

I'm a firm believer that the type of qualification should not be the main focus as such but more the people who will be teaching you, like Gillian has said, what experience have they had, how long have they been teaching, are they passionate about the industry? When you speak to them do you feel inspired? I know when I was at college I loved a certain teacher because she was so passionate and inspirational, and that's always how I try to come across with my students

Good luck and let us know how you get on

Sam

xoxo

 

[snyggiss]

Hi Sam
Do you teach in London?
I have post poned my decision until I am sure! I was almost certain of doing the cibtac Aesthetics but now i am in two minds as if I did NVQ i could probably afford to do both 2 and 3 where as I can not afford (at least not now) to do cibtac aesthetics AND body... i want to specilize in IPL and such and thought therre for Id do cibtac aesthetics and then the laser course at the same school but now I think perhaps I do need the body-part as well as I want to be employable!!
Thanks for all your answers, it really helps! :Grope:

 

[CIBTAC]

Hello Snyggiss

Great to hear you’re looking at joining our industry. It’s a great business to get into, there’s lots of opportunities and there’s always lots of new things to learn! It’s also great that you are taking the time to consider all your options and that CIBTAC is one of them.

Everyone has done a great job of answering all your questions, but hopefully you don’t mind us adding our opinion to the mix. Our advice is to select a course that you are comfortable with, which includes the centre where you will be learning (distance you have to travel, equipment quality etc.), the time you will spend in class, the tutors you will be working with and most importantly, the support you will receive through your learning. If you get these right, then your dyslexia will not be a problem at all and you will hopefully pass with flying colours. Sam (@beautydiaries), has given some great advice about what support you can expect for dyslexia. GillianW has also given some great advice on choosing a college and making yourself employable.

The fundamental differences between our courses and NVQs are:

• An NVQ is an on-going assessment with exercises to complete as you are going along. CIBTAC currently has detailed theory and practical elements to all our courses, which culminate in an exam that enables you to showcase your skills across a variety of treatments. This is the method we traditionally use for all our qualifications to ensure all CIBTAC students are well-trained, have the knowledge to safely carry out treatments independently and have the understanding and expertise to start adding their own flair to treatments when applicable. Obviously, we cannot comment on the NVQ assessment, but they take a different approach to us for assessing their students.
• An NVQ traditionally refers to ‘National’ (National Vocational Qualification), however given the standards required in the UK, the NVQ is often recognised internationally because other countries can guarantee the standards of the students. You do need to be careful, because not all NVQs are accepted internationally, it does depend on the awarding body and some are accepted in some countries, but not others. Similarly, we are not recognised in all countries worldwide, but we have worked with many governments internationally to develop our qualifications to meet all their standards as well as the UK standards. We are officially accepted in 26 countries currently, with more coming online all the time. You can find a full list of these on our website

I thought it might be nice to share with you a quote from Grimsby Institute with whom we work closely in the UK. They offer both NVQs and CIBTAC qualifications and many of their students take a combination of the two, depending on what they are looking to learn about and what skills they need for employability.

‘CIBTAC offers an opportunity for students who excel in NVQ to achieve an additional qualification that employers were familiar with and associate with high equality and exemplar practice’ Gill (Grimsby Institute).

Hope this helps to clarify some of the differences and we wish you the best of luck in your learning. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch and we’ll be happy to help!

Good luck,

The CIBTAC Team.

 

[snyggiss]

thanks very much for this, it explains very well! I have come to the conclusion that I will go because for the NVQs simply because i am financilally limited and cant afford both CIBTACs , but can make it taking both NVQs OR perhaps I will do cibtac sometime after my NVQs or perhaps I will do Cibtac body after NVQ2 if I can :biggrin:
Thanks very much for the explanation!

 

[BeautyDiaries]

Hi Sam
Do you teach in London?
I have post poned my decision until I am sure! I was almost certain of doing the cibtac Aesthetics but now i am in two minds as if I did NVQ i could probably afford to do both 2 and 3 where as I can not afford (at least not now) to do cibtac aesthetics AND body... i want to specilize in IPL and such and thought therre for Id do cibtac aesthetics and then the laser course at the same school but now I think perhaps I do need the body-part as well as I want to be employable!!
Thanks for all your answers, it really helps! :Grope:

I'm so sorry I've not replied for a while! No I teach in Wales. Have been to the LCBT though and loved it! How are you getting on by the way? CIBTAC have given you some really informative advice! xoxo

 

[snyggiss]

I'm so sorry I've not replied for a while! No I teach in Wales. Have been to the LCBT though and loved it! How are you getting on by the way? CIBTAC have given you some really informative advice! xoxo

Ahh no worries at all!! ive heard lots of good.. and bad (!) about LCBt so hard to know, guess its something just to experience and then judge! I think however ive decided on the NVQ 23 and 3 (with Lond-Est) as this way I can afford it and also be able to do a fast track training (6 months full time) as ive given up my job now (which i hateeed) ! anyway seems like NVQ works in most EU counties too so,.... thats what i will go with! so exciting! xxx

 

[BeautyDiaries]

I think you wi get good and bad reviews of everywhere and everyone really. You have to down your own opinion

Good luck on the course though. Have you signed up? When will you start? xoxo

 

[snyggiss]

I think you wi get good and bad reviews of everywhere and everyone really. You have to down your own opinion

Good luck on the course though. Have you signed up? When will you start? xoxo

yes thats tue! My course strats 27th of Feb.. xxx

 

[BeautyDiaries]

Have fun, enjoy it! :-D xoxo

 

[Beautylicious-M]

Not much help but i did the beauty specialist nvq at london school of beauty n it was an international diploma

 

[Anadean]

Not much help but i did the beauty specialist nvq at london school of beauty n it was an international diploma

How the standard of teaching and teachers at the London school of beauty and make up? Would I get what I'm paying for

 

[TheDuchess]

I thought id share my story.

I was a client of a beauty salon that was badly run. When it failed I thought I could do better. I set up my own business providing a serviced room rental service to self employed beauty therapists and I rapidly became disenchanted with the poor quality knowledge and skill of the qualified therapists that rented from me. I employed an experienced girl with a level 3 NVQ qualification to manage the salon and quietly put myself through a CIBTAC course at the London School of Beauty and Makeup. My course ran alongside the CIDESCO students course and we were all taught together.

Within 3 months of starting my course my therapist manager broke her shoulder and went on sick leave. I started doing a few treatments one or two days a week (my course was part-time). Within a month I was taking more business in 2 days than she had been taking in a week.

I rebranded and relaunched my salon with just me and a couple of part-timers whilst I was still in college. Within 6 months of starting my course I was training my NVQ trained p-t staff how to achieve the standard that clients expect. Before I finished my course I was turning over more money than the failed beauty salon that had inspired me.

My experience of the CIBTAC training is that it taught me the skills that I needed to be successfully self employed. Everyone on my course that completed went on to work in the industry. Several others launched successful thriving businesses whilst still at college.

My experience of the NVQ training is that it is designed to support the needs of women who aren't ready go straight from school into work in a shop, pub or cafe. Most beauty students will struggle with functional English and maths and have challenging and chaotic personal lives which limit their future life prospects. In my local college only 10% of qualified level 3 beauty students go on to work in the industry - based on the feedback of therapists who have kept in touch with the rest of their classes.

If you have lots of encouraging family and friends to practise on, and you aren't interested in skincare, just nails, brows, lashes, makeup, waxing and holistic treatments, NVQ is fine.

It's not really the right standard if you want to specialise in skincare and you'll need a mentor and years of experience before you can set up your own successful business and earn more a good therapist earns in an established salon.

 

[Anadean]

thanks a lot !! That really helped me with confirming my decision about LCBM, I went and saw visited the school last week for the CIDESCO course and it seemed really professional.
Your story just confirms that for me!

 

[laurakate]

Nvq is good. Does what it says on the tin. It comes down to the individual to make things happen.