College for a mature student or proffessional training?

[flickandflutter]

Hello,

I really want to do a hair extension course but after speaking to the pro's in the hair forum they have suggested i do an NVQ in hairdressing first.

Being a mature student at 24 im a little wary about going back to college and studying for another 2 years and paying the £2600 fees.

I have researched on the internet and there are professional courses and apprenticeships out there but some are extremely pricey like SAKS at £8k and Toni and guy at £8-12k (jaw drop)

There is a course with the national institute of beauty which is a fast track course for £1250 in cutting and styling or HHTA for £300, they say they are accredited but not sure how ligit thay are so just wondered what methods people had done before? Good and bad experiences.

Also I have seen a city and guilds diploma at my local college for hairdressing costing £870 covering similar modules to the NVQ was wondering if this was recognised in the industry.

thanks
x

 

[lucelasticx]

Whatever course you do whether it be a one or two year level2 city and guilds, nvq or vtct course is fine just beware of any fast track systems that is too good to be true, there is ALOT of theory and you need to learn it whilst gaining practical skills at the same time. This all takes time, maybe working a day as a junior in a hairdressers whilst doing a college course is they way to go as you need floor experience. Think of it like learning to drive, you will get your licence / certificate and thats when the real learning begins so you will need to work as a stylist for at least a couple of years to gain confidence and get upto speed.

 

[Siansy]

Hi ,
I trained as a mature student on a full time NVQ/City and Guilds course 7 years ago. I was early 30 s and all our group were classed as mature students and ranged from 19 to late 40's. Its a great time of life to go into this industry and often the mature group gain confidence alot quicker. You already have alot more life skills than a school leaver. I would highly recommend going for the full time NVQ or a similar and as you are dedicated enough to pay that money you will gain that and much more back once you are qualified and working. i loved every minute of that course and gained some great new friend into the bargain. Just comparing to some of my friends that have completed in salon training especially with franchises is they seem to be more specialsed into one area such as cutting and styling or colour techs. with a full time college course it covers the whole spectrum. I also completed a 10 week bridal hair course and cinderella hair extensions once qualified. Good luck x

 

[flickandflutter]

thanks!

I think I may have found the perfect full time NVQ 2 in hairdressing it says it is free no matter what your age and its at barry college, wales, this would be perfect its 21 hours a week do I can still work to pay my bills. Ive emailed them and waiting to hear more x

 

[fizzbomb]

Good luck !

 

[persianista]

That sounds perfect. Hope you enjoy the course and we can welcome you into our profession x

 

[MissConfused]

did you decide to go for the whole package then? i really do think it would be a waste not to be able to offer clients everything from start to finish.

i hope you enjoy your course! you might even discover you have a hidden love for more than just extensions! x

 

[*JOANNE*]

thanks!

I think I may have found the perfect full time NVQ 2 in hairdressing it says it is free no matter what your age and its at barry college, wales, this would be perfect its 21 hours a week do I can still work to pay my bills. Ive emailed them and waiting to hear more x

i am 37 and have just completed level 3 nvq hairdressing after being a mature student for the last 3 years and i have loved every minute of it..i wasnt the oldest neither the youngest but young old we all got on so well and had a ball xxxx

 

[flickandflutter]

thats great that u enjoyed it. i was just a bit wary of goin bk to studyin as did two yr nvq in beauty then two yr hnd salon management and am still in alot of debt from that, so im unable to give up wrk so trying to wrk out how im gna fit it all in lol! sure i'll do it sumhow x x

 

[catiebloo]

I went back to college when i was 28 and it was the best thing i ever did. I feel more emotionally equiped to deal with all the studying that was needed. I know if i did this when i was younger then i would have pissed about and failed the course.

it's not a bad thing going back as a mature student

Also would you not get your fees paid for you? Or is that only in Scotland where that happens??

 

[flickandflutter]

no unfortunately if you are ovr 19 in england u have 2 pay for ur fees (the only free ive found is in barry and waiting for an application form) there are concessions for very low incomes i.e. jobseekers allowance or ther r the new deal things where if your above a certain age and have never completed an nvq or a levels u get it free or discounted.

its nt so much the work involved in studying that bothers me as done the nvq 2 and 3 beauty and hnd salon management, its just that im still in debt from the last time and need to still wrk full time so it will just be fitting it around study etc lol xx

 

[lucelasticx]

Is the Barry course free to people who live in Wales?
If so you may not qualify as you live in Bristol. Worth looking into if that is what you will be basing your choice on.