Nail technician - choosing right course

[Hayley-Jane]

Hello, I'm new to all this.....

I'm looking to become a nail technician (self employed) - doing lots of research but am really worried any course i end up doing won't give me the correct qualifications.

I'd prefer to do an intensive course at a college or residential, rather than at home so that i can be taught properly and correctly.

Evening courses in my area not starting until Sept and are only 3 hours a week for months and I'm looking to train quicker than that.

Does anyone know of any good training courses in my area - berkshire?

I've found alot of the courses advertised online aren't specifying the qualification gained and i think mainly you are paying for the equipment rather than the tutoring?

Any help is much appreciated



Hay

 

[Bagpuss]

What about branded training....??? Creative, Ez Flow, NSI....ect

 

[ajshard]

I have just started the Complete Foundation with OPI i am very impressed so far. It's not the cheapest option. Do you favour any brands?

 

[suzyd]

Hi Hayley,

Im glad you have asked this question as I was looking for the same advice as I screwed up by enrolling with The National Home Study College and did a course for almost a year in manicures & pedicures to now find out the company has ceased trading, is basically fake and the diploma's are worthless
Gutted.
Im going to keep going and start again but like you want pratical training quickly that gives me a recognisable qualifaction, i just dont know where to start & am terrified of going with the wrong people....

Is there a Gel/acrylic product that is more popular...?

Sorry for not being any help for you & jumping on your topic.

Suzy
x

 

[chixyorky]

i did some training with the carlton institute in winsor. they were very goos and do all sorts of courses www.thecarltoninstitute.co.uk just checked on there website and they do courses for all levels x hope it helps x

 

[mum]

I've just looked at the site mentioned above. A Nail Technicians Course is 3 days for manicure, pedicure and 2 systems!! It also says 'get fully qualified in 3 days'!!!!

I am afraid this is nothing like enough to become a technician. It is a very small beginning and one that could cause more confusion that training.

Read the sticky on this forum and do a search. There are so many threads on here about good training (and not good training). If you get Scratch magazine you could also read the article I wrote for this months issue.

 

[Ruthlm]

I've just looked at the site mentioned above. A Nail Technicians Course is 3 days for manicure, pedicure and 2 systems!! It also says 'get fully qualified in 3 days'!!!!

I am afraid this is nothing like enough to become a technician. It is a very small beginning and one that could cause more confusion that training.

Read the sticky on this forum and do a search. There are so many threads on here about good training (and not good training). If you get Scratch magazine you could also read the article I wrote for this months issue.

I read your article, made me think differently, not that I thought you were a fully wualified nail technician after your course, but just in a different light, it's common sense really, you couldn't do a four day course and be a fully qualified electrician or joiner, and being a nail technician is a complex proffesion with so much to learn and continue learning, although courses teach us the basics, it's a stepping stone I suppose, and with continual education in time it will come. I thoroughly have enjoyed the courses I have been on, but know that I have lots to learn, and can't wait to lol, this forum is one place that's great for information and inspiration.

 

[mum]

I'm pleased you found the article useful Ruth. It makes me very cross to read websites that mislead those looking for beginners training into thinking that a few days is all that's needed.

There is another thread in Biz Geek where the Principle of a school posted a thread justifying her courses. I answered quite a few of her points and she hasn't been back since!

I hope someone from the school mentioned in this one comes on to the site.

I feel very sorry for those trying to find good training and good value for money but here is a good place to start

 

[Missy G]

i did some training with the carlton institute in winsor. they were very goos and do all sorts of courses www.thecarltoninstitute.co.uk just checked on there website and they do courses for all levels x hope it helps x

Tbh Carlton Institute teach you the bascis and with a non proffesional products and theres far too much to take in in one go. Once youve left there you will need lots of practice and will need to do a conversion course to a proffesional product...trust me Ive been there.Type in Carlton Instititue at the top of the page and read the feed back for the nail training...not good IMA.

If I was you Id train with Creative doing a foundation course,they are only based in Burnham/Slough ,cant go wrong there,check out Sweet squared website for more details.

 

[suzyd]

owww im even more confused now. So where is the best place to train?? Im in the south East area & All the courses i have seen seem to be a 1-2 day training.
This does seem a very short time but once you have been trained is it not then down to practise?
I have also looked at doing an NVQ at my local college but it doesnt start until september and is a 1 year course which doesnt work for me..
I have tried to search for creative nail training but nothing is coming up...

Suzy
x

 

[Ruthlm]

owww im even more confused now. So where is the best place to train?? Im in the south East area & All the courses i have seen seem to be a 1-2 day training.
This does seem a very short time but once you have been trained is it not then down to practise?
I have also looked at doing an NVQ at my local college but it doesnt start until september and is a 1 year course which doesnt work for me..
I have tried to search for creative nail training but nothing is coming up...

Suzy
x

Here are details I got for you, you could call them and ask if you still had any ?'s. I think the main thing to remember is just that at the end of the course, that's not the end of learning IYKNIM, there's so much to learn that a ffew months couldn't teach us everythinhg, and that theres lots of practice ( mistakes lol ) to learn from, and it's a coninual learning curve, the courses that seem to imply that once the course is finnished, that's it you can put yourself out there as a qualified technician are being missleading, I did't train with CND but they have a very good reputation and lots of fantastic things said about them, heres what I found for you anyway, hth xx

http://www.beautifulnailssalon.co.uk/2010 DATES SEND OUT.pdf

 

[busybee32]

Go to sweetsquared.co.uk and either give them a ring and ask about education in your area or request info to be sent out to you.
I would not go near the carlton Institute with a barge pole I was ripped off big time £1500 lighetr for diploma's that are not worth the paper they were printed on, and after care service that was non existant. Biggest waste of money ever IMHO.
Get branded training or do a college course steer clear of short intensive courses.
There are plenty of companys out there that teach all you need to know, NSI EZFLow, CND to name a few.
CND training is second to none in my experience.
HTH
Jen

 

[suzyd]

Thank you very much for your help and advice - i will look into now....

 

[Missy G]

Go to sweetsquared.co.uk and either give them a ring and ask about education in your area or request info to be sent out to you.
I would not go near the carlton Institute with a barge pole I was ripped off big time £1500 lighetr for diploma's that are not worth the paper they were printed on, and after care service that was non existant. Biggest waste of money ever IMHO.
Get branded training or do a college course steer clear of short intensive courses.
There are plenty of companys out there that teach all you need to know, NSI EZFLow, CND to name a few.
CND training is second to none in my experience.
HTH
Jen

Well said , completly agree .

 

[Hayley-Jane]

What about branded training....??? Creative, Ez Flow, NSI....ect

I have looked at these...But its still a catch 22 as they do the short 4 day intensive courses?? I'm stuck lol

Hay

 

[Hayley-Jane]

Hi Hayley,

Im glad you have asked this question as I was looking for the same advice as I screwed up by enrolling with The National Home Study College and did a course for almost a year in manicures & pedicures to now find out the company has ceased trading, is basically fake and the diploma's are worthless
Gutted.
Im going to keep going and start again but like you want pratical training quickly that gives me a recognisable qualifaction, i just dont know where to start & am terrified of going with the wrong people....

Is there a Gel/acrylic product that is more popular...?

Sorry for not being any help for you & jumping on your topic.

Suzy
x

Hey Suzy

It's hard isn't it!!! I dont want to spend 15 weeks doing 3 hours one evening a week but at the same time i dont want to do an intensive course!!!

Hay x

 

[Vetty]

I have looked at these...But its still a catch 22 as they do the short 4 day intensive courses?? I'm stuck lol

Hay

The CND Foundation Course consists of 5 days that are spread over a few weeks. So you do days 1 - 3 and cover the theory and start your practical. You then have 2 or 3 weeks (it's been a long time since I did mine!) to practice and come back for day 4. You then have another 2/3 weeks before day 5, so you have time in between to practice what you have learnt.

The difference with CND is they state that the Foundation Course is just that - a foundation from which the rest of your skill will be taught. Your nail education should not stop at the first course you do, no matter who that course is with. Any company that says you will learn everything you need to in a few days is lying.

You do the following CND courses as and when you want/need to but the Foundation Course is a real solid grounding to have. Don't assume all intensive courses are the same!

Ring Sweet Squared on 0845 210 6060, chat with the girls in Education and they will give you more info than I can. I did my CND Foundation Course over 5 years ago and have never regretted it.

Hth's

 

[chixyorky]

sorry havent done any nail courses with carlton just waxing which was good - was just a suggestion - sorry!

 

[ajshard]

The OPI Complete Foundation runs over 9 weeks, 7 weeks of 1 day a week, a week off then your exam. You are expected to do a minimum of 20 sets and infils/rebalance during the 8 weeks and keep a portfolio of evidence, on the final week is a 1 hour written paper and then you need 2 models and have to do 2 sets of nails in 2 hours. Mine runs on Sundays but guess it depends on the trainer in your area, this may suit you better.

HTH

 

[Gelly]

The OPI Complete Foundation runs over 9 weeks, 7 weeks of 1 day a week, a week off then your exam. You are expected to do a minimum of 20 sets and infils/rebalance during the 8 weeks and keep a portfolio of evidence, on the final week is a 1 hour written paper and then you need 2 models and have to do 2 sets of nails in 2 hours. Mine runs on Sundays but guess it depends on the trainer in your area, this may suit you better.

HTH

2 sets of nails in 2 hours! Blimey Good luck!