Hi... I'm Tinxy and I'm one of the "horrid" one day coursers! :)

[Tinxy]

Ha ha, come out and keep this going I think we're learning a lot here.

Well that was my intention... I can't change peoples minds for them but just MAYBE we can learn something... even if it's to not judge everyone straight away
Moving forward I'll do the courses that interest me, I intend to work for myself, one of the biggest bonuses to changing my career to this for me, so all I in theory have to please is my insurance company and myself. But based on all I've heard so far if anyone asked me what route into beauty they should take if they wanted to work in a salon I have to say I'd advise them to stay clear of NVQs... what I found before starting and several have confirmed for me then NVQs are not actually the standard to aim for in a lot (not ALL) cases.

But I'd still love to try and see if more of a basis could be found for WHAT the minimum qualification should be... I'm well versed in making arguments in a business case and I'd be happy to write something up - but it would be pointless without constructive suggestions from people from ALL backgrounds in the industry...

I have some ideas of my own but I really wanted other peoples ideas too...

 

[bombini]

I think what is hard for a lot of NVQ therapists to get their heads around is how on earth can something like facials be taught in one day when the vast majority of skincare ranges require the same amount of time just to learn the products and as Persianista mentioned the big companies require a week.

The beauty of college is that you get to work on a variety of clients and have the guidance of a lecturer should there be any problems or your technique is wrong.

I'm not saying all college courses are the best as some of the lecturers are useless or have been out of a salon enviroment for so long it would probably take them forever and a day to do a leg wax.

For me the problem with short courses is that they really are to short, if it was a 7 day intensive course per treatment (eg massage) with case studies and assessments in front on a lecturer then I could probably get my head round that.

I think a lot of people forget its not just the treatments that are taught at college its customer care, retail skills, salon hygiene, client consultation, reception skills, the list goes on.

 

[jane218265]

I think that the problem is one of public perception.
People often presume that beauty therapists and hairdressers are unintelligent.
A great deal of effort went into setting up qualifications that aimed to negate this image and provide people with a recognised and valued trade.
For all of us who put the years of training in, it can be insulting to be told by others that we are no better than someone who encapsulated all that knowledge in an afternoon!
I am frequently stunned by the spelling on this forum, and the people who claim to be professional when they can't even spell the word!
That doesn't help our image...
Personally, I continue to study all I can and am always willing to learn from people I respect.
If a post on this forum is by Dawn, Lynne or Geeg I always read it as at least I know it will be informative - and legible!

Posted with my Droid EO Forum App

 

[Zooks]

This thread is interesting.

Im 27 and have always had a passion for beauty, I looked at all my options and decided that although it was my worst nightmare to go back to college for me its what I thought would educate me most. I must say its not been what I thought it would be. Some times I appreciate that we do plenty of written exams and the on the other hand I wonder why we bother as a lot of the girls will whisper the answers to each other and its not taken anywhere near as seriously as I thought it would be. There are definitely both girls who will thrive in the industry and there are those that will fail astonishingly but they will still be passed.....

I also did a minx course through my college and am disgusted at how much it was for what we were taught which ultimately since doing it through CND I have found they taught us the incorrect procedure. Teachers teaching it who have clearly not even attended a course in that product even if they are qualified in nails doesnt mean they automatically know how to do minx and so on. That same teacher also carried out Shellac on another teacher, when I asked what she had done she had done it incorrectly and I told her so. Ridiculous.

On the other hand I personally do not feel I could do a day course and be qualified but I do think they are a fabulous option as "top ups" for certain treatments. Say tanning or something but I know there are short courses on epilation and I know people who have passed and admit to me they still dont know half as much as we have been taught through out our year course and I still have heaps of learning to do!

I think its all 6 of one and half dozen of the other but there should definitely be better standards in all courses put in to practice and to let the people who pay good money to do these know what they will gain from it.

 

[kezza*]

NVQ 2 that's a year at college 4 days a week, if you did all those modules on one days courses it would not = to an NVQ 2! People work hard for them they are not all about a&p. Every training course I have done they show you how to set a trolley up, whoever said two days, doesn't mean your slow doing an NVQ. I'm sorry but to me these day course's are not a recongised qualification just cause you can get insurance doesn't mean you'll get a salon job. There is so many people out there right now doing these quick course's around full time jobs thinking they can set up on their own just to make some quick money!iiiyytt

 

[kezza*]

Sorry that send when I hadn't finished. It doesn't matter what the lecture was like training your going to get that with day courses. You can't think that you do your day training come home practise on family and friend and off you go in business, I trained two years at college practising on family and friends and 7 years in salons and spas gaining experience before working for myself full time, why do you think therapist with NVQ qualified don't rate day courses?

 

[Baggybear]

I appologise in advance because I know this will be a long post.

I too have done one day & short course to get most of my qualifications and I think there is a place for them. My situation was that as a mother of 4 children and a partner who worked full time in the insurance trade I couldn't attend a full time college course.

I wanted to get into nails and possibly some areas of beauty (was not 100% which & am still considering if some treatments are for me or not). I ended up signing up with 2 agancies who offered to help me with training and the costs of kits too.

The one agency helped me to get onto a C&G level 2 nail course at college one evening a week and paid for my kit and college tunic the other agancy arranged for me to attend a weeks worth of day/short courses and provide kits for all of those courses too.

I attended college every week and enjoyed the course and found myself to be one of the eager learners on the course, after about 8/9 weeks we had a few people dissapear never to be seen again. I love nails and was often found reading books about the A&P and apliction techniques etc... even though the tutor never asked us to read up on anything & hardly ever set us any homework that we had not already been given a handout about (usually containing the answers we needed for the homework).

Then it came time for my week of courses and I tell you what I would never choose to do so many courses so close together again but I had no choice at the time but to do them all in that week as my partner had to take the week off work for me to attend them all.

I did:
Day 1 & 2 on L&P (even though I was studying this at evening college - I wanted the extra 1-1 tuiton) then back 5 weeks later to pass a written exam and do a full set of L&P on a client within a time limit.
Day 3 was a whole day waxing - did a whole body wax plus covered the a&p contra indications, contra actions etc...
Day 4 was semi perminant eyelash extensions with all the contra indications and actions etc...
Day 5 was eye enhancements (including tinting and perming). So I did an eyelash & brow tint, an eyelash perm and a set of eyebrows with tweezers along with the a&p, contra indications etc..... & then tanning just before I went home.

I got home and every night was looking over the information I had been given and tried to ensure the important stuff registered. I followed those courses with lots & lots of research and tons of practice and I feel confident that I can provide all of the service I trained in except, eyelash perming & semi perm lashes but that is because I said at the time I had not enjoyed the fiddlyness of the treatments so I didn't want to do them ever again (I have been true to my word too and have not touched the kits I got with my training since - even though I was praised for doing a great set of extensions and I have since seen that my work was quite good even for a first set, by some of the awful sets pictured on this site and many others that I have seen while researching treatments).

Basically I'm saying that there would be no way I could attend college to do an NVQ or any other full time course as my life did not allow the time for it, no matter how much I wanted to do it I couldn't. The next best thing was short/day courses with loads and loads of research and practice.

I believe that if you want to you could learn the same amount by yourself as you could from a college course if you spent the time looking into the subject.

I love finding out all about different treatments especially if it is one I enjoy and so I spend hours and hours and hours reading and looking at different sites to find out all I can.

Now my partner has been made redundant I have had to use my skills to start up a mobile business but I still spend lots of time researching things and practicing treatments.

I'm hoping to book onto an intimate waxing course with Kim when she comes to Cardiff soon (but it might be while we are away on family holiday :cry.

I plan to do more courses and am considering doing them as part time in a college but these tend to cost as much as a day course (sometimes more) and are not always as good as a short/day course because of the large groups I feel I might learn more in a 1-1 situation.

Anyway after all that I think that day/short courses should have a place in this industry but they need a lot of work afterwards to continue learning all you can about the subject and staying upto date with new developments and loads and loads of practice to perfect what you are taught.

They should not be looked at as a quick way into the industry or business because what you learn on the courses is a basis to continue your learning from. I feel it is not a licence to go and earn cash straight away without bothering to do any more research or practicing.

 

[missreid]

I think that the problem is one of public perception.
People often presume that beauty therapists and hairdressers are unintelligent.
A great deal of effort went into setting up qualifications that aimed to negate this image and provide people with a recognised and valued trade.
For all of us who put the years of training in, it can be insulting to be told by others that we are no better than someone who encapsulated all that knowledge in an afternoon!
I am frequently stunned by the spelling on this forum, and the people who claim to be professional when they can't even spell the word!
That doesn't help our image...
Personally, I continue to study all I can and am always willing to learn from people I respect.
If a post on this forum is by Dawn, Lynne or Geeg I always read it as at least I know it will be informative - and legible!

Posted with my Droid EO Forum App

Totally agree x

 

[bird1977]

I think the problem is lots of people are doing a 1 or 2 day course with no basic beauty or nails training and then opening a salon and calling themselves qualified nail techs or whatever.

I think whatever way you go you always have to be constantly learning and practicing, I don't think you ever stop learning and it isn't until you are in the trade that the learning truly begins, as long as people are aware of this and strive to constantly better themselves I don't think it makes a difference which route you take.

 

[Calminginfluenc]

I have just qualified to level 2 through college, because of the nightmare I had within the college setting with other students wanting to breeze through and not really doing a good job and passing anyway I have decided to finish my education at a centre that only does one day courses, having already trained to a good standard and having a good amount of underpinning knowledge behind me as well as a good motivation to learn above and beyond what is required of me.

I do not feel that one day courses are all that bad for me, I started a massage course years ago but was unable to complete so I am actually doing a 1 day massage course tomorrow but I have spent the last 3 months since booking catching up on all my theory and extra a&p needed way over what was required by the school!

So my opinion is very mixed! I would never go for a one day course if I didn't have prior knowledge (my nvq) because I don't feel I would know enough to give my customers a full and effective treatment in any area of beauty but for someone that wants to learn a new skill that already has a qualification then they are brilliant! I can now pick and choose the level 3 treatments that I want to cover and extra and learn them in my own time! I do advise anyone wanting to go into it to look through and learn as much as you can or buy an nvq text book to revise from though!

Having said that I have just done an online exam and theory for a nail course next week and they actually covered more nail contraindications than my nvq did!!! The required knowledge in that area was greater!! I was pleased to have to go and study up on the things my nvq didn't teach me!!!!
I will be doing lots of one day courses over the next few years does that make me fully trained or a one dayer?! ;-)

 

[jcpark]

I'm not a beauty therapist but the same thing has happened within the massage industry. When I trained in the early 90's you could not qualify on a short course. Short courses existed but only for CPD for which you received a certificate of attendance. Qualification courses took longer. Fast forward and there are courses where you can learn to become a massage therapist in a few days! Standards have been dumbed down. Itec recently changed their awards in Sports Massage and the current level 4 sports massage is the same (with a couple of additions) as the old level 3 sports massage. What benefit is that? Then there are the many one/two day courses in sports massage. How can anyone learn in two days what it took me over 250 hours of class time, not to mention home study, research, assessments and 50 case histories to qualify.
Another area I have worked in is the corporate sector where 95% of our business is chair massage. I qualified when it was in it's infancy and the course was three weekends over a three month period (with lots of study and practice in between weekends). Then came the one day course! I have employed many massage therapist to do corporate work and I, along with most of the other leading comp Ianies will not now employ someone who has only done a one day course. The difference in thier treatments is obvious, perhaps less so to the general public who won't be aware of the difference unless given the opportunity to compare and this is why so many get away with it.

Massage, reflexology, aromatherapy and sports therapy, amongst others, are now regulated by the CNHC in the UK. The vast majority of courses (including NVQ) fall short of the national occupational standards required for membership of the CNHC. What does that tell you of the course. Regulators are there to protect the public, unlike the professional associations who represent the practitioner. I know the standards in professional associations have also fallen. Courses that were not recognised as they fell below standards are now recognised. VCTC courses that fall short of NOS. The problem is huge and this is just the massage/holistic industry.

If I'm honest, when these short courses appeared it was because they could get them accredited through the beauty industry, the massage/complementary therapy industry would not recognise them. However, like everyone else, the PAs want to survive and standards have dropped.

As professionals, we should require a depth of knowledge that goes beyond the basic. As an example, if I am paying for a professional facial/massage, I expect more than someone who has simply learnt a routine and nothing more (at least in massage) can possibly be learnt on a short course.

 

[jacqueline]

As professionals, we should require a depth of knowledge that goes beyond the basic. As an example, if I am paying for a professional facial/massage, I expect more than someone who has simply learnt a routine and nothing more (at least in massage) can possibly be learnt on a short course.

When I started reading this thread, these were my thoughts exactly Jenny.

I also agree with Dawn's comments.

Now, I am not looking down on any one person whatsoever here and like everyone else who has posted this is just my opinion which I am entitled to but I would not hire someone who had gone and done a one day course and that is why it is so much easier here as the training and licencing is rigid. The industry needs to tighten up in the UK.

In Florida it is at least 500 hours training for Massage Therapy, 240 hours for a skincare specialist and 260 hours for nails, you then sit your college/Uni exams and then for Massage you have to go on and take a national exam before you are considered for licencing and insurance.

You are then required to complete continuing education courses each renewal period before you are able to renew any of the above licences.

I do think there is a place for 1 day courses if you are in the industry and learning something new that you can develop but not a course on a brand new subject which lets you loose on the public the next day sort of scenario.

 

[Shell-Perfect10]

When I started reading this thread, these were my thoughts exactly Jenny.

I also agree with Dawn's comments.

Now, I am not looking down on any one person whatsoever here and like everyone else who has posted this is just my opinion which I am entitled to but I would not hire someone who had gone and done a one day course and that is why it is so much easier here as the training and licencing is rigid. The industry needs to tighten up in the UK.

In Florida it is at least 500 hours training for Massage Therapy, 240 hours for a skincare specialist and 260 hours for nails, you then sit your college/Uni exams and then for Massage you have to go on and take a national exam before you are considered for licencing and insurance.

You are then required to complete continuing education courses each renewal period before you are able to renew any of the above licences.

I do think there is a place for 1 day courses if you are in the industry and learning something new that you can develop but not a course on a brand new subject which lets you loose on the public the next day sort of scenario.

Agree with so many points here.
One day courses are to expand your skills and develop, not to start a career. And I'm glad some people on here agree with me, on my post most disagreed and thought one day courses were totally fine.
And I totally agree with the post about the plumber, in my local college they run a six week plumbing course .... Would you actually ask that person to plumb your house? If no then why get someone who done a one day waxing course to wax your legs and bikini!!

 

[Calminginfluenc]

I know there are lots if threads on here about people that have only done one day courses and I mean no disrespect to them at all in this, I just wanted to ask what the industry as a whole would see of the education I am giving myself.
I have completed a level 2 nvq in beauty therapy but have decided I cannot cope with another year with students that don't really bother etc so I am going to finish my training with one day courses! I finished in the top of my class and always revise and research above and beyond the little needed for the nvq exams so I know I will still be learning all there is to learn and wouldn't ever offer a treatment learnt on a one day course until I have practiced enough on my friends but am I still going to be seen as a therapist less qualified than a lvl3 or on parr with them? The training school I will be using offers an extra add on to the one days, you can pay extra to have it nvq certified, would that be something I am going to need to do or is the industry going to still see me as a one dayer or as someone that has done a lot of add ons to my original qualification?

 

[Rinn]

http://www.salongeek.com/nail-geek/93687-why-do-people-think-very-short-courses-ok.html
this link has a lot of very experienced people commenting on short courses. personally i respect their opinions.

 

[Tinxy]

Agree with so many points here.
One day courses are to expand your skills and develop, not to start a career. And I'm glad some people on here agree with me, on my post most disagreed and thought one day courses were totally fine.
And I totally agree with the post about the plumber, in my local college they run a six week plumbing course .... Would you actually ask that person to plumb your house? If no then why get someone who done a one day waxing course to wax your legs and bikini!!

Would I ask someone who has done a 6 week course in plumbing to do any plumbing in my house? Would I CARE if it was a 6 week course? If I went to that person based on personal recommendation and knowing they had a qualification that was recognised I wouldn't even THINK to ask how long their course was... Do you regularly ask people how long it took them to train to carry out their job?

I've had people come for their leg waxes who are coming back to me because they were amazed at how pain free it was compared to their previous therapists... obviously that must be down to how inferior I am following my 1 day waxing course... :irked:

I'm not saying there aren't people unfit to wax after a 1 day course but likewise there are people unfit after a 3 year or whatever NVQ...

 

[jcpark]

If I went to that person based on personal recommendation and knowing they had a qualification that was recognised I wouldn't even THINK to ask how long their course was...

I think this is the key though. 'A qualification that is recognised'. What is a recognised qualification? Who recognises it? There are many professional bodies that recognise and accredit courses that fall well below the NOS. So if it does not comply with NOS, would that count as being recognised?

 

[Chelsey-xo]

I'm in the same boat as u hun, I'm currently doing Beauty part time at college (Level 2). The good thing with my course is you don't have to stick it out to get the full NVQ. We do awards in each treatment for 15 weeks, I have completed facials and about to finish waxing in a few weeks. I'm not going back in Sept for eye treatments/manicures and Pedicures because I don't want to spend two years working towards a level 2. I want to get out there asap!! I'm doing one day courses in tinting and mani's/pedi's and looking at doing lashes too (as soon as I can afford it). The trainer goes through contra-indications etc. So I can't see what the problem would be with the NVQ thing I really don't know, it depends what the employer is looking for I guess, its more recognised but aslong as the course is accredited is important. Good luck x x x

 

[Shell-Perfect10]

Would I ask someone who has done a 6 week course in plumbing to do any plumbing in my house? Would I CARE if it was a 6 week course? If I went to that person based on personal recommendation and knowing they had a qualification that was recognised I wouldn't even THINK to ask how long their course was... Do you regularly ask people how long it took them to train to carry out their job?

I've had people come for their leg waxes who are coming back to me because they were amazed at how pain free it was compared to their previous therapists... obviously that must be down to how inferior I am following my 1 day waxing course... :irked:

I'm not saying there aren't people unfit to wax after a 1 day course but likewise there are people unfit after a 3 year or whatever NVQ...

But in my opinion (I know it's not yours) you are not one of the one day types I was referring to on my own post, you've done your ITEC you know your A&P so you will understand more how skin works compared to the 'one dayers' I refer to. I do not think it's possible for someone to be good at waxing after 4 hours, I actually find it really concerning. You do a block for several weeks in college on it and then still practice on friends/family and have clients in the college salon where a professional tutor over looks and tells you where you can improve, what do you do after a one day course? Just google it?

And yes I do ask people how experienced they are and where they trained, I do it all the time. I'd never dream of going to a hairdresser for example without looking up website/Facebook page which if they are well trained and qualified they will normally put in their info and if not I'd have no issues with asking. Same with when I was looking for a joiner for re fitting doors, I do genuinely always ask.

 

[jujojones]

Would I ask someone who has done a 6 week course in plumbing to do any plumbing in my house? Would I CARE if it was a 6 week course? If I went to that person based on personal recommendation and knowing they had a qualification that was recognised I wouldn't even THINK to ask how long their course was... Do you regularly ask people how long it took them to train to carry out their job?
..

The fact we have started comparing to plumbers is quite ironic, as (in our area anyway) all plumbers an fitters have to prove thier qualifications and time served before being allowed to trade. The basic they need is a Nvq 3! And a portfolio of experience! That industry is heavily regulated, which is excactly what our industry is missing. Possibly we need to.create a regulatory body that assesses your ability before allowing you to be part if it? Therefore creating and higher professional standard? Then the "one dayers" and the "nvqers" can be tested and only those able to do treatments to exceptional standard. (Wittling away all those 'therapists' who wouldn't know a lash tint from a nail file! )

This is kind of like what happens in the plumbing industry, and protects us from being ripped off from cowboys.

Funnily enough - I got an email from " the big daily deal company' - a local groupon if you like- offering a " one day acrylic nail course - you could run your own acrylic nail business" £99! Pah ha ha!!