I started doing my NVQ level 3 in September. And i've got to say, I am so disappointed with the standard! When I was studying my NVQ2, the level 3's always looked so advanced. They always seemed to be doing creative, technical things and I thought I would learn loads!!
But four and a half months in, when we've done all our 'learning lessons' and are now just doing open salons to get our assessments done, I really don't feel like i've learnt anything at all!
We're doing an extensions unit instead of perming, and we literally had about four lessons on the subject, were halfheartedly shown the techniques and then left to our own devices. I'm trying to practise on my block at home to get timing and technique upto scratch, but without anybody being there to tell me if i'm doing it well or not, it's hard to know!
Also, a chunk of our year was spent on creative hair-up's. I'm really annoyed by this, as on my level 2 we only got shown french plait, vertical roll and watched a patrick cameron DVD or two......so I was really looking forward to learning new skills and progressing. But instead of actually showing us any techniques, we were just told to use our imagination and left to make messes of our doll's heads. Now they want us to get our Hair Up assessments out the way - but there is no way anyone in our classes hair-up would be passable!!
I will admit, that I do feel like my abilities [cutting and colouring] have improved since starting my level 3 ... but I feel like that is more because we're getting the practise in and not because we've been taught anything that would make a difference.
I'm really interested in learning new colouring techniques, head shaving, pattern colouring and all the modern things like that, but everytime I bring it up the teachers say they'll give me a demo and then just get us doing hair-ups on blocks again instead. I'm really annoyed that i've spent £700 to get this qualification, which is supposed to make me more desirable to potential bosses ... when I don't seem to be getting anything but a piece of paper from it.
I would love to get out of my small, mostly unemployed town to work in a city as well ... but wouldn't know the first thing what to do with afro-carribean hair or anything like that!
I know that I am a smart and driven young woman and I truly love hairdressing. I feel strongly that it is what I want to do but I just don't feel like I will be truly ready for industry when I finish my level 3. I don't think I am a bad hairdresser at all, but I feel so under confident with the level of teaching that I have received [both on my level 2 and level 3] that I would be scared to apply for anywhere other than the hairdressers in my town because I know that they wont expect much from me.
Anyways, Sorry about that - But I just needed to rant.
If anybody can give me some good hairdressing book suggestions, or training seminars or anything like that i'd really appreciate it.
xx
But four and a half months in, when we've done all our 'learning lessons' and are now just doing open salons to get our assessments done, I really don't feel like i've learnt anything at all!
We're doing an extensions unit instead of perming, and we literally had about four lessons on the subject, were halfheartedly shown the techniques and then left to our own devices. I'm trying to practise on my block at home to get timing and technique upto scratch, but without anybody being there to tell me if i'm doing it well or not, it's hard to know!
Also, a chunk of our year was spent on creative hair-up's. I'm really annoyed by this, as on my level 2 we only got shown french plait, vertical roll and watched a patrick cameron DVD or two......so I was really looking forward to learning new skills and progressing. But instead of actually showing us any techniques, we were just told to use our imagination and left to make messes of our doll's heads. Now they want us to get our Hair Up assessments out the way - but there is no way anyone in our classes hair-up would be passable!!
I will admit, that I do feel like my abilities [cutting and colouring] have improved since starting my level 3 ... but I feel like that is more because we're getting the practise in and not because we've been taught anything that would make a difference.
I'm really interested in learning new colouring techniques, head shaving, pattern colouring and all the modern things like that, but everytime I bring it up the teachers say they'll give me a demo and then just get us doing hair-ups on blocks again instead. I'm really annoyed that i've spent £700 to get this qualification, which is supposed to make me more desirable to potential bosses ... when I don't seem to be getting anything but a piece of paper from it.
I would love to get out of my small, mostly unemployed town to work in a city as well ... but wouldn't know the first thing what to do with afro-carribean hair or anything like that!
I know that I am a smart and driven young woman and I truly love hairdressing. I feel strongly that it is what I want to do but I just don't feel like I will be truly ready for industry when I finish my level 3. I don't think I am a bad hairdresser at all, but I feel so under confident with the level of teaching that I have received [both on my level 2 and level 3] that I would be scared to apply for anywhere other than the hairdressers in my town because I know that they wont expect much from me.
Anyways, Sorry about that - But I just needed to rant.
If anybody can give me some good hairdressing book suggestions, or training seminars or anything like that i'd really appreciate it.
xx