NVQ or separate courses?

[ShelleyR]

Hi! Wondered if anybody could help me?

Im looking to train within the Nail/Beauty sector : Although after researching and going through many threads on here I have to say I am completley confused as what to do!

I dont want to work within a salon, the plan is to start mobile and build my clients up before I do anything else (which I understand will be quite difficult- but you gotta start from somewhere!)

Basically I am interested in training within spary tanning, eyelash extensions and especially nails!

Would it be best for me to complete an NVQ with nails and then do a spary tan and eyelash course seperate? As from my understanding the NVQ covers everything from acryrlic to gel nails and fibre glass- and starts at a beginner level- which I would need?

Or would it be best to not do an NVQ and go for a specialist nail certificate? CND traning has come up alot on the threads, but im worried as I have no experience yet that would be too advanced!

Any Advice would help massively!

 

[Chelsea1234]

Hi Shelley, I know how you feel! So confusing! I started an Beauty NVQ apprienticeship but got massively messed around by the college and employer so left them both. I was going to do the NVQ full time at another school but instead decided to do seperate courses and I'm setting up mobile now.
Carlton Institue do short courses which are great if you have lots of willing volunteers to practice on after. They do a three day course including mani,pedi & gel overlay & extensions and you can choose to do gel or acrylic (the most popular). That doesn't include gel polish or nail art!! They do other courses for them. FYI If you decide to do any courses with Carlton and you're flexable with when you do courses, check their late availability (under offers) for a less expensive course.
NVQs (from the schools that take the majority of a year to do an NVQ), are great because you get lots of practice and a tutor if you have questions so you feel you really know what your doing and it's the best qualifcation to get it you want to work for someone else. But if you are determind to work for yourself and you have lots of friends and family to practice on, then diplomas are faster and can be cheaper.

I hope that helped a little bit!

Chelsea X

 

[shedunlop]

If you are not wishing to work for a salon then go the individual course route. That way you will be able to pick and choose who you train with and when and if you do one course at a time you will be able to master that treatment before moving on and adding on.

When at college you often have the same tutor for all the different treatments, some she will be great at and some not so great. By picking your individual courses you can see on here who is recommended and pick the best trainer for each individual subject!

 

[ShelleyR]

Thank you Chelsea! Ive heard good things about the Carlton Institute, have you/anyone heard of the Halls of Ivy? They do some good courses (both NVQ and short courses!) so im thinking about having a look there as it is fairly local too! I'll defo look into the Carlton Institute though And I have a lot on willing volunteers to be praticed on already! haha!

Yeah Shedunlop I think the I'm going to do the seperate course route- I've just got to make sure that I go on quality courses now before! Im going to have a look through old threads for the best seperate course. Although I am still worried that, because I am a new to all this, these courses may be too advanced for me?

 

[Carlalouise]

I would do an NVQ or equivalent course, even if you are working for yourself, you never know what's around the corner and you may find you need a known qualification in the future or even to purchase certain items and work in certain places.

I know a nail tech that did a 2 day course and it really restricted her, she also didn't have a clue when it came to health & safety or anatomy & physiology which personally I feel you need in order to keep yourself and clients safe and not in a position to be sued!!

Carlton institute do everything, you could get a good qualification in nails and also go to them to do other courses like spray tans which they do in an afternoon.

Good luck with everything xx

 

[shedunlop]

As long as you take your time and choose your courses from recommendation. When a course is being recommended make sure it is not by anyone associated with the said company as that can easily happen and they are obviously biased.

Make sure each course is accredited too so that you can get insurance with them and also make sure the that same insurance company will cover you for each course. There have been a couple of instances on here where someone has done a new course and their existing insurers do not recognise it. Doesn't happen very often but can be expensive when it does.

 

[ShelleyR]

I wont be jumping int anything just yet, the price these courses seem to be im gonna make sure I do my research!

Thats exactly my worry with a short course Caralouise, as I am at such a beginner level, I want a course that is going to teach me everything from the very basics. But to be honest i think it looks like an NVQ might cover everything that im looking for, unless I can find a course that does this too. Just gotta do my research!

Thank you Shedunlop- Im going to look through every old thread possible!

Anyone studied at the Halls of Ivy? Or know anywhere else in the London/Essex area? The Carlton Institute is an option after looking at their website

 

[shedunlop]

Good short courses will cover all the anatomy you need for that treatment along with all the contraindication, health and safety etc. so there is no need to worry. You could take an anatomy and physiology course first, you could do that online or attend college but it isn't necessary for most courses you will want to do.

 

[Halls of Ivy]

Hey Shelley,

We have some good deals on NVQs and short courses coming up in April

Halls of Ivy

 

[lauralou24]

Hi, I have just done a course at the carlton institute... i did 6 courses in manicure and pedicure, eyelash extension, nail extension, tanning, waxing and massage... i spent over £2,000 doing these courses!
PLEASE don't with them! i have spent all the money and i feel i have learnt nothing! i wish i would of read the reviews before parting with any money! I would hate for anyone to do the same as i did! I am completely gutted i went with them and makes me sick when i think of all the hard work i put into saving the money to do these courses!

 

[therelaxationde]

Hi where are you located? I am in the process of opening a beauty training school and will be doing intensive course in various aspects of beauty, massage and holistic therapy. I will also be teaching on site too so if you are within a respectable mileage of me I can come to you
Let me know if I can help x