Nail Extensions - Qualification advice!

[Mooey]

Hello,

I'm a fulltime CIDESCO student, and I want to specialise in nails. The course I'm on covers all areas of beauty therapy including mani/pedi but just to a basic level. I want to gain another qualification in acrylic nails that would also make me employable to do acrylic nails in a salon. What are the employers looking for?

I have found 2 courses I'm interested in taking at the Carlton Institute - Nail Art, and Acrylic nails. On their own you get a CIBT Diploma but you can pay an additional cost for an NVQ/IHBC. Is the CIBT Diploma on its own enough to be employed? Or would it be worth paying extra to do the NVQ?

Any help??? MUCH appreciated!!!

Gemma

 

[Urban Geek]

The best advice I can give you is to train with Creative. Give Sweet Squared a call on 0845 210 6060.

Having my Creative nail qualifications has opened so many doors for me and gained me so many clients.

One of the best educators is based at Acton.

Remember, you get what you pay for.

 

[Purelynailz]

Hi ,

I think that in some parts of London you need a government recognised qualification to be able to do nails in order to get a licence, so depending on what part of london you want to work in, i might be worth having a look into it all to see if you need an NVQ or similar before making a decision.
Im 100 % certain tho, so hopefully others who work in London will be able to clarify this or not :hug:

Haze x

 

[Urban Geek]

Hi ,

I think that in some parts of London you need a government recognised qualification to be able to do nails in order to get a licence, so depending on what part of london you want to work in, i might be worth having a look into it all to see if you need an NVQ or similar before making a decision.
Im 100 % certain tho, so hopefully others who work in London will be able to clarify this or not :hug:

Haze x

Only one person in the salon has to be working towards (don't need to have it already!) their NVQ so it probably won't really be an issue.

I have my NVQ but it didn't open the doors for me in London. Also NVQ in Nails training varies so much regarding the standard and therefore is not that highly regarded due to the inconsistency in training standards.

 

[Purelynailz]

Only one person in the salon has to be working towards (don't need to have it already!) their NVQ so it probably won't really be an issue.

I have my NVQ but it didn't open the doors for me in London. Also NVQ in Nails training varies so much regarding the standard and therefore is not that highly regarded due to the inconsistency in training standards.

I think its a shame that NVQ training isnt more consitent and hopefully oneday it will be.
I have done various CND and Ezflow courses and found both their education systems excellent , i have also nearly finished doing my NVQ with Denise Wright at one of the ANT' s SAcentres and have found it excellent , maybe ive just been lucky with all my training.

Haze x

 

[Mooey]

Thanks for your advice guys. I'm not sure about the government approved training, as I currently work in zone 1 at a student (not qualified yet, and none of the others are either) so I guess its not necessary. My question is, is it necessary to pay extra to turn those extra nail qualifications into NVQs (from diplomas) especially as I will already have CIDESCO under my belt?

Thank you!

Gemma x

 

[Mrs.Clooney]

Thanks for your advice guys. I'm not sure about the government approved training, as I currently work in zone 1 at a student (not qualified yet, and none of the others are either) so I guess its not necessary. My question is, is it necessary to pay extra to turn those extra nail qualifications into NVQs (from diplomas) especially as I will already have CIDESCO under my belt?

Thank you!

Gemma x

Do you need an NVQ qualification though, if you have a CIDESCO Diploma? CIDESCO is very highly regarded in the beauty industry.

I am trained as a beauty therapist to CIBTAC level. If I am not mistaken, the nail anatomy, physiology, hygiene, prep and procedure etc..... is the same as for CIDESCO and I don't think you would get or need anymore than this by obtaining an NVQ. It is very in depth.

My advice would be along the lines of Urban Geek's comments. Complete your CIDESCO, then train to use acrylic (Liquid &Powder) or gel with one of the reputable gel companies eg. Ezeflow, Creative etc..... You will already have all your nail anatomy etc..... under your belt and will just need to learn prep, application etc... for your chosen acrylic brand.

Personally, I would train directly with one of these companies as opposed to Carlton Institute.

Best wishes with CIDESCO. Lots of hard work I know.

 

[Mooey]

Thanks Tracey!

Thats really helpful... I was actually speaking to one of my teachers today and she said something along the same lines... All the knowledge I have acquired from CIBTAC & CIDESCO are enough and theres no need to obtain an NVQ also. However the Carlton institute were telling me I should do the NVQ! I guess thats because its their school hey!

Thanks again,

Gemma x

 

[Mrs.Clooney]

Thanks Tracey!

Thats really helpful... I was actually speaking to one of my teachers today and she said something along the same lines... All the knowledge I have acquired from CIBTAC & CIDESCO are enough and theres no need to obtain an NVQ also. However the Carlton institute were telling me I should do the NVQ! I guess thats because its their school hey!

Thanks again,

Gemma x

Only guessing here, but perhaps they are telling you this because you may pay for a course with them plus many councils require an NVQ if you are to work in their area. However, CIBTAC/CIDESCO are internationally recognized qualifications and you can't get higher training than CIDESCO.

I'm only guessing again, but if you have a CIDESCO qualification, I would not think you would be required to have an NVQ.

 

[gemma lambert]

i would recommend nvq training, and you may beable to get it free call 01709 898598 they have traing centres all over the uk. good luck,
gem xx

 

[RedAdmiral]

Um, Um, Um ? As a teacher I would suggest you finish your qualification and head to a product company. I think the reason why training varies with colleges is because teachers teach and that is their job to spend 40 hrs a week in a class room, how many set of nails do you think they do? Product companies have to train and re-train when new products come out, for trade shows etc. They are fresh, My students are lucky as I teach p/t have my own salon where I work and never stop learning.

 

[Clairet]

I totally agree with what RedAdmiral said.

I teach for a product company too. I have a complete understanding of the products that I am working on. I have had to undergo training in all the products, the way they work and the correct application techniques.

I am well aware of various colleges who train on certain products and the lecturers have never had training on those particular products and only a general training in acrylic, gel and fibreglass.

I still have clients of my own, so am still actively doing nails on a regular basis.

It means, when I am teaching, I can give my students good honest advice about business, having done it myself.

Hth's

 

[Mrs.Clooney]

Thanks Tracey!

Thats really helpful... I was actually speaking to one of my teachers today and she said something along the same lines... All the knowledge I have acquired from CIBTAC & CIDESCO are enough and theres no need to obtain an NVQ also. However the Carlton institute were telling me I should do the NVQ! I guess thats because its their school hey!

Thanks again,

Gemma x

I honestly don't see why you would need an NVQ on passing CIBTAC/ CIDESCO. With a reputable product company, you can learn the techniques for preparing the nail for gel/L&P, the way the product works, ingredients etc.......

It is unlikely a college offering NVQ's would be using your chosen brand of gel/L&P. Therefore, you would have to spend further time and money converting to say Creative or Ezeflow.

 

[Mooey]

Hey hun, thanks for the advice. Are you saying if I trained in nail extensions I would then have to re-train in extensions when I get a job depending on what product they use? I'm very confused!

Thanks,

Gemma x

 

[Mrs.Clooney]

Hey hun, thanks for the advice. Are you saying if I trained in nail extensions I would then have to re-train in extensions when I get a job depending on what product they use? I'm very confused!

Thanks,

Gemma x

Let me give you an example: Let's say you went to college to train in gel or L&P, and the college used IBD or LCN products. You would train using these products, however, let's say that long term, you personally really wanted to use eg. Akzents or Creative. On leaving college, you would have to undergo a conversion course to your chosen gel brand which means more time and more money. What is the point?

A training course with many reputable gel companies will teach you how to apply extensions eg. NSI, Creative, Calgel, Ezeflow etc..... I agree with Clairet, that the tutors of these companies have to know how the product works and correct application techniques. You will also be given post training support which is essential and are given the opportunity to attend workshops and refresher training. Hope this makes sense but feel free to ask more questions if you are not sure :hug:.

 

[Mooey]

Ok, I think I finally get it! What you're saying is just go with a company such as Creative, and not to bother with a college/institute such as Carlton as I would then have to retrain upon choosing a different product. But what happens if I choose to train with Creative, and then once I get a job they tell me they use a different product? Would it be better to apply for the job first, ask what product they use, and then get training with that company?

Thanks again!

Gemma x

 

[Urban Geek]

Unless your skills are good you won't get decent job offers. If you get a job in a salon which uses a different brand, the salon owner would normally agree to pay for you to do a conversion course if necessary.

If you train with a high end brand in the first place, your skills will set you aside from the other candidates. It may even encourage the salon to change to the brand which demonstrates better results.

 

[Mooey]

Thanks to everyone for their fantastic advice! I feel more in the know now, and will probably go with Creative for an extensions course after I've finished my CIBTAC & CIDESCO training!

Gemma x

 

[absolutly fab!]

The best advice I can give you is to train with Creative. Give Sweet Squared a call on 0845 210 6060.

Having my Creative nail qualifications has opened so many doors for me and gained me so many clients.

One of the best educators is based at Acton.

Remember, you get what you pay for.

agree with many of your comments, nvq is a minimum standard, would this be suffient and valuable of has been mentioned a brand deveplment programme.

 

[absolutly fab!]

I think its a shame that NVQ training isnt more consitent and hopefully oneday it will be.
I have done various CND and Ezflow courses and found both their education systems excellent , i have also nearly finished doing my NVQ with Denise Wright at one of the ANT' s SAcentres and have found it excellent , maybe ive just been lucky with all my training.

Haze x

u have been lucky enough to have some industy knowledge and know who to ask, u have chooosen well not luck !