Nvq level 3 - is it worth it?

[h3llsb3lls]

Hi guys

I have a dilemma on my hands. I have just completed VTCT beauty specialist level 2 at college in waxing, facials, mani, pedi, lash n brow treatments, make-up and trained with Tantrick and have started up mobile.

In September I am due to start NVQ level 3 covering swedish, indian head, aromatherapy, galvanic/faradic. After this i then intend to train in IPL hair removal and invest in a machine and start myself up from home. I have no intention of working for anyone else.

What i wanted to know is whether you think the NVQ level 3 is worth it. I do want to learn the massage but i have heard that galvanic and faradic are quite dated treatments and since it doesn't cover electrolysis am i going to have to do a separate course in electrolysis before i start any laser training.

I just don't want to be wasting money that could be better spent elsewhere - on the other hand i don't want to cut corners.

Your advice is much appreciated x

 

[hannah85]

Guinot uses galvanic and faradic currents in their hydradermie facials which are very popular. I think Dermalogica have designed products for it too.

Level 3 is always good to have if you want to be employed but you can do short courses in massage etc. at my college electrolysis was included in level 3....

 

[Buff]

You may find that some training for the further courses you wish to take require you to have level 3 A&P knowledge so check out their requirements. I did'nt have to pay for my level 2 or 3 course (full time mature student 2007/2008) as i have no other level 2 or 3 qualifications, find out if this applies to you. HTH

 

[h3llsb3lls]

i was thinking that i may need it for further courses - i'm only doing it part time and working so don't think i can get it for free - course isn't confirmed yet anyway as they will only do it if they have enough applications - i think i will do it just wanted to hear what other people had to say x

 

[dellaznailz]

I did my Level 3 about 5 years ago and have not used galvanic since but that doesn't mean I didn't find it very useful to learn.:green:

As previous poster says you will learn much more in-depth A&P which will help consolidate your level 2 skills.You will also be able to advise your clients who may have been to other salons for treatment. It's always better to be more informed than clients!
:hug:

 

[***juice***]

Are you planning on staying mobile or are you looking for salon work? I think the general opinion is that Level 3 will get you a "foot in the door" at a salon, so to speak.

Nothing about Level 3 Beauty appealed to me at all Level 3 Nails however, is a totally different kettle of fish

 

[h3llsb3lls]

no i'm only looking to work for myself - i don't want clients that know more than myself lol and as i said before i don't want to cut corners so i think i will do it - its good to hear other peoples opinions - thanks guys x

 

[Bonkers]

i have been debating this myself and i have decided to do the level 3, this is because recently i was looking at working in a salon in order to secure income on those quiet weeks and most salons ask for level 3 even if they dont offer any of the treatments that are taught in level 3. I am going to be doing it part time in the evenings from sept, although i am having problems finding what units you actually do in the l3 as all colleges are diff and it doesnt give the information anywhere for salford college, if anyone knows or has any idea what units are usually covered that would be great,

also i would like a more in depth knowledge of a & p, as like already suggested clients have a fair idea of things i would like to know more than them lol x

 

[heatherp]

I fininished Level 3 earlier this year. Included in my course were Indian Head Massage, Swedish Massage, Aromatherapy Massage using preblended oils and facial and body electricals.

I too have no intentions of working for anyone else and have recently set up a salon in an extension on my home.

Apart from loving the massage courses, I found that the A & P learnt in level 3 for me, really made everything knowledge wise fall into place (ie how doing a certain thing can have effects on skin and body functions), and came out feeling confident that I have a good sound knowledge of what I am offering.

I cant say I enjoyed the electricals side very much at college but since leaving I managed to find a micro-current, and galvance/high frequency machine at a bargin price and absolutly love giving these treatments along with microdermabrasion.

I think the enrichment courses we did being eyelash extensions and hot stone and microdermabrasion were invaluable and I understand alot cheaper through the college than you would get them yourself.

Basically, for me, I think without doing level 3 I would have felt alot less confident about building my own business.

Asfar as working in a salons goes, alot of my former college colleagues are still finding getting a job difficult. Although they have level 3 some are finding that salons are asking for 2 years working experience too.

 

[Becca Bee]

I really want to do NVQ3 part time in the evenings, as i'm a single mum and can't afford to give up my "day job", but no college round here, particularly the one where i work seems to do NCQ3 part time other than in the day which is out for me.

As an aside, i think it's really short sighted of salon owners to ask for level 3 and 2 years experience for a basic therapist job, it's a catch 22 situation, no experience = no job, no job = no experience... When i ran my own business (not beauty related) i always took on youngsters with no experience and trained them up, they were far more useful to my business that way...

Shame many salon owners don't do the same.

Rebecca

 

[h3llsb3lls]

I really want to do NVQ3 part time in the evenings, as i'm a single mum and can't afford to give up my "day job", but no college round here, particularly the one where i work seems to do NCQ3 part time other than in the day which is out for me.

Hey hun - not sure what part of oxfordshire you are in and will prob be too far for you to travel even if you were my side but i'm doing it at Warwickshire college in Leamington Spa - they are offering it part time if they get enough numbers - may not be of use but just thought i'd mention it



From the sounds of it level 3 is the way forward - as i said before i do not want to cut corners and i definitely want to feel confident in what i am telling my clients - i am so glad i started this thread as i was so unsure if i was doing the right thing but know i think i am - thank u all for your advice xx

 

[Becca Bee]

Hey hun - not sure what part of oxfordshire you are in and will prob be too far for you to travel even if you were my side but i'm doing it at Warwickshire college in Leamington Spa - they are offering it part time if they get enough numbers - may not be of use but just thought i'd mention it

Thanks h3llsb3lls, that's really useful

I've just checked the website, and it seems it's only offered at the Henly-in-Arden centre, which given i work in south Oxfordshire, would be just too far for me to travel....

Maybe if i get a job nearer Banbury, then it would be do-able, or if they offered it on a saturday... I be there like a shot if a college offered level 3 on a saturday...

Rebecca

 

[h3llsb3lls]

Thanks h3llsb3lls, that's really useful

I've just checked the website, and it seems it's only offered at the Henly-in-Arden centre, which given i work in south Oxfordshire, would be just too far for me to travel....

Maybe if i get a job nearer Banbury, then it would be do-able, or if they offered it on a saturday... I be there like a shot if a college offered level 3 on a saturday...

Rebecca

hey hun i'm glad u pointed this out - they told us they would be doing it at the Leamington centre grrr......i was wondering why i couldn't see it on the website - sorry its of no help to you x

In fact i am a bit confused as they told us it was an NVQ level 3 not a diploma and this is what it stated on the application form i filled in - is there anything wrong with doing a diploma level 3 as opposed to an NVQ ???

 

[ruthemma]

Hi All,

I did my NVQ 2 as a mature student about 4 years ago now - was in exactly the same dilemma!! couldn't find a college in Oxon or Bucks that did level three part time (well i did but not enough of us registered so it was cancelled!)

I then decided to do Level 3 massage only part time and love it - I also do hot stones . I work for myself and don;t do any electics and use organic facial products. It was definately worth me doing massage level 3 - and alot of places would accept this instead of full level 3 if they don't offer elec. in their salons. In saying all that If any of you find somewhere to do level 3 part time - please let me know.

Good luck
sam

 

[h3llsb3lls]

Hi h3llsb3lls You sound exactly like me, I've just finished the VTCT Beauty Specialist level 2, have done Tantrick training and set up mobile as I don't want to work for anyone else either(as I'm 36)!!. I've already enrolled on the level 3 at my college starting september but I was also in 2 minds whether to do an individual massage course but really enjoyed going to college and am looking forward to studying again. I think I'm making up for the fact that i didn't do anything at school instead of mess around at the back of the class ha ha!! x

Hi Sarahjs

Wow - thats me in a nutshell - i want to go back cos i loved the girls at college and had such a laugh lol......i think i will do it just hope they don't cancel the course now!!

 

[Buff]

Hi again, i don't think you'll regret doing level 3, you also learn more about the business side of things which you'll need and most of the tutors have a wealth of knowledge to pass to you, I found college great fun and miss going TBH. My local college charge for part time but as i said in my previous post full time was free. Check the days as some part time is 2 - 3 days and you may find full time is only 3 days for most of the year until you do work experience 1 day per week on top although independent study time needs consideration also. HTH

 

[Becca Bee]

Hi All,

I did my NVQ 2 as a mature student about 4 years ago now - was in exactly the same dilemma!! couldn't find a college in Oxon or Bucks that did level three part time (well i did but not enough of us registered so it was cancelled!)

I then decided to do Level 3 massage only part time and love it - I also do hot stones . I work for myself and don;t do any electics and use organic facial products. It was definately worth me doing massage level 3 - and alot of places would accept this instead of full level 3 if they don't offer elec. in their salons. In saying all that If any of you find somewhere to do level 3 part time - please let me know.

Good luck
sam

Hi Sam...

Waving at you from the old airbase at Upper Heyford, gosh it's a small world.

So, that makes 2 of us in a small area looking for level 3 part time evenings / saturdays.

May i ask where you trained? I did my NVQ2 at Aylesbury on saturdays 2007 - 2008...

Rebecca