NVQ level 2 beauty therapy at college or fast track?

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Hickerzz

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Hi guys, I'm a complete newbie to beauty therapy as I've worked in childcare for the past 12 years. Basically I've had two children now & want a career change I'd love so badly to become a beauty therapist. The problem is I'm reaching 30 and do not want to spend the next couple of years of my life at college training for the nvq level 2/3. I've found a website which is the same course but you gain a city and guilds nvq level 2 and it's a fast track course so you train for 1 day then complete case studies at home and attend assessment days after each module, completing the course in a faster amount of time. Of course going to college would give me longer to practise and be competent in that area. Basically I'm in a real dilemma and would appreciate done support/ guidance from anyone whose been in this situation and what path you decided to take? Thanks guys!
 
I retrained at the age of 37 by doing an nvq 2 at my local college 4 days a week. That was my chosen path, not because I had all the time in the world but because training hands on is what this industry is all about. Some teaching is better than others and some will disagree but I honestly don't think fast track courses can compare to regular teaching that hopefully ensures, week in, week out, that you are doing it properly and your skills are improving.

I qualified with my nvq 2 and set up working from home very successfully. I now have my own salon.

Have a look at the thread I started "do we have the 'right' to train in beauty" sorry can't do a link on the phone!

Vic x
 
Thanks so much vicky for your reply.
One of my biggest concerns in doing the fast track was how could I be competent in an area after only 1 day of training versus college where I'd have the year of hands on practise. I have an 8 month old baby so I also thought the fast track would work well around him being the day of training. I guess in my heart of hearts as you said to be truly professional you need to be getting it completely right brfire
 
Before you can carry it out on the public.
I'd like to go on to train in the level 3 electrical facial route afterwards so I guess college really is the best way to go.
Did you go mobile after level 2 or go on to train in level 3 also?

Thanks again! Sam
 
I retrained at the age of 37 by doing an nvq 2 at my local college 4 days a week. That was my chosen path, not because I had all the time in the world but because training hands on is what this industry is all about. Some teaching is better than others and some will disagree but I honestly don't think fast track courses can compare to regular teaching that hopefully ensures, week in, week out, that you are doing it properly and your skills are improving.

I qualified with my nvq 2 and set up working from home very successfully. I now have my own salon.

Have a look at the thread I started "do we have the 'right' to train in beauty" sorry can't do a link on the phone!

Vic x
What did you do before? Just out of interest? I assumed you'd been doing this forever your advice and knowledge is so in depth [emoji4] x
 
My first job leaving school was for Revlon in a Boots chemist in London. I then worked for vidal sassoon as a receptionist then decided I'd like to work with children so trained as a nursery nurse when I was 21. I did that for many years then had my daughter and moved to Northamptonshire. I then worked as a childminder when daughter number 2 came along. The whole time I'd been really interested in reflexology so with parents permission, my husband would leg it home on a Wednesday night, leave the car running and he would mind all 4 kids while I went to reflexology. We only had one car and are about 15 miles from town! Then followed massage, aromatherapy then beauty full time in 2001. I loved every minute of it. Looking at my first job leaving school, I should have stayed in the beauty industry.

To be fair much of my learning has been done in the past few years with environ (best training ever) and going to networking meetings and having great advice!

Sorry to hijack the thread but to summarise, train as BEST as you can. Some teaching is crap and some students are awful. I personally think many going into the industry need a solid foundation in anatomy and physiology and to have excellent face to face tuition.

I'm afraid I read skin and business books for fun lol

Vic x
 
No I appreciate all the feedback and love reading everyone's stories. I've actually decided on going to college to complete my level 2 nvq in beauty and I have an interview in 2 weeks!
My goals are to work mobile but I'd love to train in dermabrasion / electrical facials, would you recommend staying on at college and the level 3 after, or leaving college with my nvq level 2 and training elsewhere specially in this area?

Thanks guys x
 
From another perspective... I retrained in my forties by completing two fast track hairdressing courses, level 2 & 3 with my local college. I gained the requisite qualifications to work but obviously didn't have very much experience. Compared to others, I think my teachers were ok, particularly on my level 3 course. You definitely need to put a lot of extra work in yourself rather than expect teachers to spoon feed you all you need to know. I also accept that you're not especially employable afterwards until you increase your level of experience but a level 2 qualification is still only a level 2 competency regardless of where or how it was achieved.

From a personal perspective and where hairdressing is concerned, I think it's probably more useful to focus on specialist courses after gaining your basic level 2/3 qualifications. Since my level 2, I've attended quite a number of additional training courses including a barbering course with Wahl and the Sassoon Academy to learn additional techniques from a variety of industry experts.

As Vic says, it's sensible to ensure that you seek out the best quality teaching rather than what's cheap/most conveniently located, if you're hoping to become successful in this industry. At least once you have the basic qualification, you can start working whilst continuing with your education and training. If money is an issue, this might be a more flexible way to achieve your goals.
 
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This is a great thread folks, I too am in a pickle i work full time and due to financial commitments I cannot leave my employment or reduce my days, I wanted to do level 2 etc but colleges only offer full time ( unless im looking in the wrong place), so i have done some local training but would much rather have went to college and done this particularly in acrylics as i havnt touched another set since lol and my confidence has went oot the window. I wish there were evening classes or something :-(
 
As a college assessor/tutor for the past few years but been in this area at least 8years I would definitely say that if you wish to perform treatments either self employed or in the salon that you should go to college or a beauty training school, many colleges can offer part time 1-2 nights a week or daily and have childcare there also while you train.
The short courses are fine if selected carefully but these usually should consist of all practical days there and theory at home.
The course you are speaking about in "my opinion" sound very good.
You would b able to do all the theory at home and all the A&P that you need for your qualification but how can you pass of a good quality practical if there isn't anyone there to show you what to do or correct any mistakes as you go along within this side. And the practical practice is a lot more important in this job as people expect great outcomes as you would in a salon.
Everyone expects little mistakes and you to gain confidence and practice after qualifying as this is where you learn the most when clients can comment on your work for next time.
But to be able to learn facial routine/massage/products/skin types/with added treatments I.e steam and extraction as well as the other areas I.e. Eye treatments etc I very much doubt they can show you in one day to be honest.

Where I work does short courses but never would there be 1 day of practical for a full NVQ level 2 course.

Your best bet would be to complete a college course or find a more suitable course to qualify level 2, you then can gain insurance and do treatments at home if you wish. And do either a level 3 course or short courses to do what you wish after or specialise with a company who offer electrical facial treatments.

Just be careful in what you are looking at.
Think quality out outcome rather than them thinking quantity of pass levels as they make money giving you a qualification. X
 
As a college assessor/tutor for the past few years but been in this area at least 8years I would definitely say that if you wish to perform treatments either self employed or in the salon that you should go to college or a beauty training school, many colleges can offer part time 1-2 nights a week or daily and have childcare there also while you train.
The short courses are fine if selected carefully but these usually should consist of all practical days there and theory at home.
The course you are speaking about in "my opinion" sound very good.
You would b able to do all the theory at home and all the A&P that you need for your qualification but how can you pass of a good quality practical if there isn't anyone there to show you what to do or correct any mistakes as you go along within this side. And the practical practice is a lot more important in this job as people expect great outcomes as you would in a salon.
Everyone expects little mistakes and you to gain confidence and practice after qualifying as this is where you learn the most when clients can comment on your work for next time.
But to be able to learn facial routine/massage/products/skin types/with added treatments I.e steam and extraction as well as the other areas I.e. Eye treatments etc I very much doubt they can show you in one day to be honest.

Where I work does short courses but never would there be 1 day of practical for a full NVQ level 2 course.

Your best bet would be to complete a college course or find a more suitable course to qualify level 2, you then can gain insurance and do treatments at home if you wish. And do either a level 3 course or short courses to do what you wish after or specialise with a company who offer electrical facial treatments.

Just be careful in what you are looking at.
Think quality out outcome rather than them thinking quantity of pass levels as they make money giving you a qualification. X
Sorry the course doesn't sound good.
 
Thanks for your reply, it is exactly what needed to hear and exactly the path I've chosen to take! I've applied for the nvq at college starting September which I can work round my baby and then if I love it I will either continue to level 3 or just pay to attend private courses afterward to further my training & practise. As a tutor would you recommend staying on for the level 3 as all I would like to train in is the electrical facials really to perform along with my mobile treatments or would you just suggest going on a desperate course for this? Which would benefit me most as a mobile beauty therapist? Many thanks xx
 
Sorry I meant separate not desperate damn auto correct lol x
 
Thanks for your reply, it is exactly what needed to hear and exactly the path I've chosen to take! I've applied for the nvq at college starting September which I can work round my baby and then if I love it I will either continue to level 3 or just pay to attend private courses afterward to further my training & practise. As a tutor would you recommend staying on for the level 3 as all I would like to train in is the electrical facials really to perform along with my mobile treatments or would you just suggest going on a desperate course for this? Which would benefit me most as a mobile beauty therapist? Many thanks xx
Personally it's down to preference, all you need to do is have the facial qualification behind you to follow onto the electrical path. (Which are very expensive machines to buy but there is a discount website).
Level 3 can cover various things from body massage, aromatherapy, Indian head massage aswell as electrical facials. There is usually spa or holistic route, so again be careful and check the course and what it offers.
You could choose to do short courses on massage later if you wish and pick a company and brand to specialise in.
Like I say it is personal preference but in my experience any extra treatments you could possibly offer is all a bonus regarding money in mobile. :)
 
My first job leaving school was for Revlon in a Boots chemist in London. I then worked for vidal sassoon as a receptionist then decided I'd like to work with children so trained as a nursery nurse when I was 21. I did that for many years then had my daughter and moved to Northamptonshire. I then worked as a childminder when daughter number 2 came along. The whole time I'd been really interested in reflexology so with parents permission, my husband would leg it home on a Wednesday night, leave the car running and he would mind all 4 kids while I went to reflexology. We only had one car and are about 15 miles from town! Then followed massage, aromatherapy then beauty full time in 2001. I loved every minute of it. Looking at my first job leaving school, I should have stayed in the beauty industry.

To be fair much of my learning has been done in the past few years with environ (best training ever) and going to networking meetings and having great advice!

Sorry to hijack the thread but to summarise, train as BEST as you can. Some teaching is crap and some students are awful. I personally think many going into the industry need a solid foundation in anatomy and physiology and to have excellent face to face tuition.

I'm afraid I read skin and business books for fun lol

Vic x
Sorry for being so nosy I just really wondered [emoji5]️ I think it's nice knowing how everyone got here x
 
Another thing about doing the full time college route, you get to be with other people in the same situation as you are, you can help each other out if your stuck with things, I think it gives you a better feel for the industry and especially if you get to work within a commercial salon at college, I'm just starting out and 100% sure that an NVQ as a foundation for my career is the right option, yes it takes 2 years and costs me £3,000 in fees but I think it's worth it, especially if the industry does get regulated in the future, at least I will have my NVQs and won't have to worry
 

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