Certified vs qualified?

[NailtechBec]

Hi everyone, long post sorry but I wanted to know what people thought about this and their experiences!
In 1998 I started an hnd in beauty therapy and management but before my first year was completed I had to leave for personal reasons, during that time I completed the full nail technology part of the course but was never given a certificate as it was all part of one qualification, I then trained with nsi in acrylics and gel to get my certificates, since then I have trained with Gemma lambert for nail art (I have other courses booked with her) and I have been trained in gelish by a nail harmony master educator ! I believe myself to be a quality nail technician but I do not have an NVQ. I am looking into doing it but am in discussions with college about whether I can go straight in at level 3 ! I have a home salon and I am fully insured so I don't need the NVQ I just want it in case I ever decide to work for someone else, salons and spas require them !
I understand this is very long winded and doesn't really have a point lol but I wondered how many of you are certified and how many are qualified and if you think it's worth the time and money to get the NVQ ! Also if anyone knows for definite if I could start at level 3 taking into account the above info and also that I already have an NVQ level 3 in a different field 2 a-levels and a certificate of higher education in fine art.
Thanks for any replies in advance and apologies for the essay !

 

[xxAmyxx]

I think you are ok with the NSI certificates, company training is usually of a higher standard than college training anyway.

 

[Maz101]

Depends really how you want to work. If home salon or mobile it's fine, if working in a salon or renting a room, chair or area in a building that's not your owned home then you should check with your council what is required for the special treatment licence, I know in London and alot of boroughs (more changing to it too) you must have a nvq vctc or equivalent, so best to check with them.

I'm qualified but I'm nor doing my lvl 3 nvq vctc so can work anywhere.
Hope that helps.

 

[w1nnie]

I agree with Amy, but I'm wondering if the industry will be requiring nail tech's to have NVQ anytime soon.

 

[NailtechBec]

Thank you for your responses, i am booked on lots of courses this year to make myself the best nail technician I can be and keep up to date with everything new I just feel like I should have an NVQ to validate myself in the industry if that makes sense. X

 

[skingeek78]

I am qualified, my thoughts are that a qualification does not always make a good therapist but it's the right starting point. I think you are right to get the qualification, it means you can work for a salon if you wanted to in the future.

 

[Baggybear]

They say you need an NVQ or EQUIVALENT so are any of the qualifications you have or planning to get of the equivalent level?