Private Colleges-Your advice please

[Newbytothis]

Hello all, I am new to this site but I hope someone out there can give me some advice. I am 42 and looking to re-train as a beauty therapist-I have spent the last 20 years working in the beauty industry (but in management retail). I cannot afford to give up my full time job to go to college full time as I have the usual mortgage/bills etc to pay and have looked at some of the private colleges such as The Carlton Institute in Windsor/Exmouth to try to qualify this way. My only concern is obviously the time span for the practical element of making sure I am fully competent. The Beauty industry is a real passion of mine and I really want to train as a therapist and eventually work for myself but as I am no spring chicken I kind of need to get a move on! Can anyone give me any ideas or let me know what they think of training privately-I am willing to do non-paid work experience on a Saturday for as long as it takes locally (if I can persuade a local salon to take me on). Can any one give me some advice? -All ideas and advice welcomed from you guys who have been there and done it!

 

[Mrs.Clooney]

Hiya, hey no worries, I was 44 when I trained last year and managed very well. The only comment I would make about training with an institution like 'The Carlton', is that you can't attend college everyday for any length of time. You are given a few days of 'in house' training and then you have to build up you training portfolio and practical skills on your own. If you are making any errors, you will not have a tutor standing over you to correct and direct you.

This is one of the main reasons I decided not to train with Carlton although I understand your difficulty with having to hold down a job.

Sassy Hassy is one of the mods on here and she did her initial training (few days) at a private college in Fareham I think. As far as I know she was really pleased with the support she got from her tutor. You could send her a pm.

 

[Newbytothis]

Thats great, thanks so much I'll do that. The only thing that was holding me back was the amount of practical with a tutor that I would get, I have trained people over many years and know the importance of consistency, support and practise, practise practise! Think my husband thinks I am having a midlife crisis but its great to hear of another forty something with the same situation. Thanks again

 

[Vons]

I was 35 when I retrained to be a therapist. I did my training through the Pinks Academy. You do need to be very commited if you want to be sucessful training with a private college. I felt that I got plenty of practical experience whilst at the college but I think that it is important to read around each subject as much as possible and practice, practice, practice. If you go down the private route it is really helpful if your college will give you access to your trainer by phone whenever you need them and allow you back to check on your technique and sort out any problems you may be having (Free of Charge).
I feel that I have actually benefited from this type of training as I have been taught by people that are still actively practising in spa's and salons and so are up to date on trends and products and I have been able to learn at my own pace which was important to me.

 

[Newbytothis]

Hi There, thanks for your help, sorry for the delay in replying.
Its good to hear that fast track/private college tuition can work (I did, like most people, wonder how this can be achieved when it would normally take a year full time at college).

I do have other concerns though if anyone can help or would appreciate advice from anyone that has had to do it?
As I have to maintain a full time job while training etc, how do you fit in experience in a salon while training? I am looking at dropping a day during the week from my current job as I do think that I need to get some time in a salon to understand salon etiquette, help/assist with treatments, learn about the business elements of being in a salon etc. Will salons take you on as a trainee doing a L2 or L3 NVQ and can you get insurance while training?

Thanks so much