Some advice needed re home study course!!

[--fudge--]

Hey Im new to this & not too sure if Im doing it right!!

I have just started doing a home study course through a college called Stonebridge. the course is titled ASET level 3 beauty therapist diploma. The course content is the same as if you were in college the only difference is you dont do any practicle side to it. However, you must get work experience doing the practicle side because obviously thats kinda what its all about!!! They give you all the information you need, you just dont have to complete a practicle side to gain the qualification.

So I was wondering, does anyone think this is a good way of doing a beauty therapy course? Its a recognised qualification but im just worried that some salons may think its a load of rubbish!! Do you think anyone would consider employing me with this qualification?

Your thoughts would be nice!!! Thanx. Joanna.

 

[samlamb]

Hi and welcome to the site:hug:

so am I right in saying you dont get assessed doing practical assesments?Just written work?And what qualification is it you recieve at the end?xx

 

[--fudge--]

Hi thanx for commenting!

Yeah thats right. dont get assessed on practical. I have to do assignments then send it back to them to get marked then move onto the next unit.

Here i will copy what it says on the site and the qualification................

Back





Beauty Therapist Course




A Distance Learning Course of 16 Lessons



Course Description

"How long you live rests largely in your own hands. So does how well you live, how much vitality you have and how good you will look in twenty years' time." Leslie Kenton, Ageless Ageing - The Natural Way to Stay Young.

The beauty therapist with the correct qualifications will be able to advise clients about skin and body care. Today high standards of technology used in the production of beauty products mean that real improvements can be made. Beauty therapists are "redundancy proof" and always in demand with plenty of opportunity to take up other related therapies.


Course Syllabus

Anatomy & physiology for beauty therapy

Understanding the skin and its function

Hygiene ethics

Procedures for consultation & skin analysis

Cleansing the skin - facial analysis

Facial massage

Mask therapy in facial treatments

Professional make-up procedures

Skin care

Manicure & pedicure

Successful business management

Anti-ageing

Weight loss & control

General nutrition

For a more detailed syllabus on this course, click here


Qualifications

On completion of your course, you will receive two qualifications:

Qualification 1: Beauty Therapist Diploma

Beauty Therapist Diploma issued by Stonebridge Associated Colleges, entitling you to use the letters SAC Dip after your name.

Qualification 2: ASET Level 3 Beauty Therapist Award

This Course leads to an ASET Level 3 Award Certificate for successful learners. That means that it is independantly accredited at a level of learning equivalent to level 3 on the National Qualifications Framework (NFQ) for England, Wales and Northern Ireland (in which case GCSE's are at levels 1 and 2 and A Levels are at level 3).

The Award has been designed by a learning provider to meet specific learners' or employers' requirements and as such is not listed as a qualification on NQF. While the duration, content or assessment may vary from similar national qualifications, in accrediting the programme at level 3, ASET attests that its learning outcomes are at an equivalent level to a level 3 national qualification.


What u think!?!? xxx

 

[beautyseeker]

Any salons who advertised for junior therapists at my college only wanted 2nd or 3rd year students. A salon does not have time to train you in practical aspects as they want you to work and earn them money.

I think that you would find it very hard to find a salon to employ you and train you on the practical side. Most courses that you go on when you are working at a salon expect you to have some sort of experience and/or qualification.

Good luck.

Trish :hug:

 

[sodabubble]

from what I can gather, I don't think it will be recognised enough for you to get insured, go on conversion courses or even get a trade account at a suppliers

I say this because it's not on the NQF grid, sorry chicken but I think you may be wasting your time/money....can you get a refund?

 

[Vetty]

This thread below discusses courses that reckon to be NVQ3 equivalent via home study, and the conclusion is that they aren't...... Without doing practical assessments it isn't an NVQ, and tbh I think there is no substitute for classroom training.

Still have a read of the thread Home Study courses and this one which lays out the training optrions THE answer to the most FAQ - "which training should I choose?"

hth's

 

[Mrs.Clooney]

Am I correct in assuming that this is different to an NVQ? I may be wrong but an NVQ level 3 involves electricals ie. galvanic, faradic etc...... If you are doing a home learn course, where are you going to get your electrical experience? In a salon with paying customers?

Everybody has to start somewhere and for some peeps the options are home learn. But this way you don't have anybody standing over you monitoring your procedures and correcting you if you are wrong.

Personally, I find that theory goes hand in hand with practical, one along side the other.

Is there any reason in particular why you chose this course as opposed to a more hands on practical one?

 

[--fudge--]

I did some reasearch and couldnt really find a course that actually had a practical side. It gives you all the information you need, theres no stopping you doing treatments to friends/family......you just dont need to be assesed on it to gain the qualification.

Yes, they said to me ''If you are hoping to practice in the private sector, you will need to secure Professional Indemnity Insurance, our practical centre is in Portsmouth (which may not be very close to you), however if you are able to get a few days work experience in a local beauty salon, this will satisfy the insurers, so that you can secure the insurance.''

So I will have all the knowledge and everything and would be able to carry out treatments i just wont have had the whole classroom taught, lecturer standing over me thing! Which i know is the best way of gaining the qualification but due to sircimstances Im not able to do it that way! I emaild a few salons and asked much the same, one salon has offered me the chance of work experience with them. Iv found out about an apprentice position & she said she would keep me in mind for that. Its a fast-track thing so would be great if I get something like that! Gotta start somewhere!

 

[sodabubble]

true hun, and I admire your enthusiasm! I just don't want you to feel dissappointed if things dont go your way a few years down the line. Maybe it might be worth giving your local college a ring anyway, just to see what they can offer you? As in general a level 3 therapist will be able to perform many more treatments than whats on the list. Good luck chicken, hope you can make it work for you xxx

 

[Vetty]

I did some reasearch and couldnt really find a course that actually had a practical side. It gives you all the information you need, theres no stopping you doing treatments to friends/family......you just dont need to be assesed on it to gain the qualification.

So how do they know if you're good enough to gain the qualification?? The practical side of beauty is equally as important as the theory. In fact, from a clients perspective it's more important - they will assume you know your theory and expect a well-executed treatment, after all that'w what they are paying for!

Yes, they said to me ''If you are hoping to practice in the private sector, you will need to secure Professional Indemnity Insurance, our practical centre is in Portsmouth (which may not be very close to you), however if you are able to get a few days work experience in a local beauty salon, this will satisfy the insurers, so that you can secure the insurance.''

You need to speak to an insurance company about what standard they expect before they will offer you insurance...... Without wishing to sound like a cynical old bag(!) some training establishments will say anything to get you to part with your cash.....

So I will have all the knowledge and everything and would be able to carry out treatments i just wont have had the whole classroom taught, lecturer standing over me thing! Which i know is the best way of gaining the qualification but due to sircimstances Im not able to do it that way! I emaild a few salons and asked much the same, one salon has offered me the chance of work experience with them. Iv found out about an apprentice position & she said she would keep me in mind for that. Its a fast-track thing so would be great if I get something like that! Gotta start somewhere!

We all had to start somewhere, but there are too many courses around which don't deliver what they promise...

No-one is trying to put you down or dampen your enthusiasm but tbh if I thought my beauty therapist had learnt her trade from a book with a few days experience at a salon I wouldn't be happy. This is a practical trade and needs to be taught hands on IMO......

 

[Mrs.Clooney]

So I will have all the knowledge and everything and would be able to carry out treatments i just wont have had the whole classroom taught, lecturer standing over me thing! Which i know is the best way of gaining the qualification but due to sircimstances Im not able to do it that way! I emaild a few salons and asked much the same, one salon has offered me the chance of work experience with them.

I agree with sodabubble and Vetty, in that your enthusiasm is great, however, it's a pity you didn't ask this question here on geek before signing up for the course. Yes, everyone needs a starting point, but perhaps some geeks here could have pointed you in the right direction for the right course.

I highlighted your first sentence above to emphasize that you will have the theory rather than the knowledge. Knowledge comes with experience. Skin analysis is much more involved than just reading from notes and looking at a few pictures. I'm also not so sure you will be able to carry out the treatments without prior practical experience. Trying to do something practically is very different to reading it on paper. This is why I mentioned in my first post that the 2 go hand in hand.

 

[Claire-Bear]

I decided I wanted to become a Beauty Therapist in January 2006 - I had missed the course start dates for the local council NVQ courses (which all start in September), I had an interview at a local private college and the course fee was approx £2,000 plus kit and I had to attend 2 evenings a week and all day Saturday. As I was working full-time this wasn't an option also I didn't want to pay £2,000+ and decide that it wasn't the career for me after all!!:irked:

I did the Stonebridge home study course and it gave me a great insight into the world of beauty therapy on the theory side - I also attended the 2 day practical course at Portsmouth where we had limited training (how much can you fit in to 2 days!!!). But it did show me that this was the career for me after 30 years in offices!! Also the course is accrediated to The Guild of Professional Beauty Therapists and is covered by their insurance. I received my Diplomas in October 2006.

In September 2006 I started an NVQ level 2 part time (3 hrs a week over 2 years) at the local council college - with my previous theory and basic practical experience - my confidence soared, at last I was practising on a variety of people (fellow students, college clients, family and friends). In April 2007 I started renting a room from a local hairdresser for 3 days a week (whilst still doing an office job for the other 3 days!). The business is now picking up nicely...........I am finally covering my rent each week and putting a bit away in the bank.

I think the home study method is a good starting point but is no substitute for lots of practical training and ongoing assessment. But it certainly put me on the road...............

Good luck with your course.

Claire-Bear

 

[JuJu@MB&S]

Hi Guys, newbie here...

I'm a fully qualified clinical hypnotherapist and I'm just finishing off my VTCT Level 3 Swedish Massage, VTCT D2110 Health & Safety Standards bla bla, and want to branch out into some beauty treatments too, mainly just Manicure, Pedicure, Waxing and Facials. I'm not planning on working in a Salon, but to gradually build up my own business as a mobile therapist...

I've read the comments on the Stonebridge Distance Learning Course and see that some people are opposed others not so... Having spent a year at college learning Swedish Massage and extensive Anatomy and Physiology I can completely agree how hands on training is required in our industry.. However, with the current financial climate and peoples circumstances I can see how for some (myself included) the 1 or 2 year full time NVQ\VTCT courses are just impossible. I'm single, have to work full time to pay my extortionate mortgage and will have to move home to get an even bigger house and mortgage so that I can work from home as well as be mobile. There is just no way I can take a year or two out of work to study. I have spent the last 2.5 years at college in weekends and evenings to get to where I am now. If I carry on, there is no way that I can start earning a living out of what I am already qualified for in my spare evenings and weekends. I initially wasn't at all keen in distance learning for Beauty Therapy, but with circumstances and finances as they are, I have little choice. I've investigated thoroughly, and whilst this Stonebridge Course does not cover all of the elements of the NVQ\VTCT, it does cover the treatments I wish to do, in my mind, even when you've finished college you still need to practice lots before you can consider yourself confident anyway, so this wouldn't differ with the distance course, lots and lots of practice on family and friends, andI plan on doing the odd 1 day intensive courses to get the techniques shown to me 1st hand. I have spoken to my insurer Salon Gold, which are a reputable insurance company and half the price of many! And they are willing to insure me with the ASET qualification, ASET does appear to be a fully recognised and accredited organisation (see ASET).

I know it's not the best way to get qualified, but I think I am covering all the bases here... Just wondered what your thoughts were, and also to advise that you can indeed get insurance with the Stonebridge Beauty Therapy ASET 3 course through at least 2 companies, the GUILD or SALON GOLD, I would imagine as both of those are pretty major companies, you will not have trouble getting insurance. Whether or not this qualification is good enough to obtain work in a Salon I have no idea, but maybe for self employed\mobile therapists with awkward commitments and financial ties this could be a solution if you're willing to accept as with anything, you have to have physical experience as well as theory

JuJu