Training Credentials?

[essentia]

Great thread! I have been shocked with how little experience some have on becoming trainers. However someone said to me once that the trainer only needs to know how to guide students though a course - they give out handouts, give a little demonstration and the rest is 'self guided study' - why do they need to have x,y or z. However I like trainers who have had experience, whom keep gathering information and know real life scenarios. When looking for a CPD course in the past I have asked them what they think of so and so, or the differences between machines and this has usually made my mind up as well as calling my insurance company to see if they are accreditated!

 

[little-miss-owl]

I did a VCTC hot stone course a few years ago and the "Trainer" had never taught the course before, she never showed us a full body one at the start so we all could see we were learning off someone who knew what they were doing, and then... PUT A DVD ON and said to "Get on with it"

When we passed we just learnt the routine that one of the girls in the spa was already doing, I learnt absolutely nothing off the trainer.

And I still haven't received my certificate 3 years later. Worst course ever, she was abysmal.

 

[shedunlop]

Great thread!!

I guess another view point is, just for example

you could have hairdresser a) and hairdresser b)

Hairdresser a) has been qualified 10 years and has been doing hair extensions for 5 years but specialises in hair extensions and on average does say 10 customers of hair extensions a week.

Hairdresser b) has been qualified 20 years and has been doing hair extensions for 15 years but only does 10 hair extensions on average a month

who would be a better trainer in hair extensions?? On paper hairdresser b) has more years experience but hairdresser a) has in my opinion much more experience!

(p.s Im not a hair dresser or hair expansionist and just using this treatment as an example who you get my point!!)

As both of them are qualified for a good period of time and both actually working in extensions I wouldn't mind either. My point is if one of them had just trained in extensions then 6 months or a year later went into training would you be happy? Once you have years and years experience there isn't much difference but to be able to do a day course and then 6 months later teach even if you don't actually run a beauty business is possible at the moment.

I don't like anyone lying to me and thinking I am stupid enough not to do my research and I am afraid there are too many out there doing that at the moment and some of them when it isn't actually necessary.

It is easy to do research on any trainer as there is enough information out there. Ask to see their original certificates from when they trained and their training certificates. Ask others who have trained with them what they think and check with the insurers they say they are accredited with.:wink2:

 

[shedunlop]

I did a VCTC hot stone course a few years ago and the "Trainer" had never taught the course before, she never showed us a full body one at the start so we all could see we were learning off someone who knew what they were doing, and then... PUT A DVD ON and said to "Get on with it"

When we passed we just learnt the routine that one of the girls in the spa was already doing, I learnt absolutely nothing off the trainer.

And I still haven't received my certificate 3 years later. Worst course ever, she was abysmal.

Did you do any research on this course beforehand. Did you complain afterwards or ask for a refund. Everyone should complaining to the insurance companies that have accredited these courses if they are not happy. Sounds awful! :wink2:

 

[salj]

I didn't research the tutor when I did my level 3 NVQ at college, it didn't occur to me that it would be necessary in a college. But the girl who taught us for level 3 was the worst teacher I have ever come across. I sometimes still wonder to this day how most of us got through our level 3. She was appaling.

 

[dee]

our teacher for level3 was pants too , she went stright to teaching fresh out of college and couldnt even do a decent leg wax , luckily i had trained privatly before hand and was merely doing the course for the qualification

 

[Rinn]

i came across a facebook page of a salon advertising gel nails in the midlands here.
they do nails themselves and were also advertising to train people how to gel nails because 'it's easy'.
the sooner some kind of proper regulations come in here the better. i wouldn't hold my breath though.

 

[Spray Tan Queen]

'All' trainers should have C&G 7303 or PTTLS as required since 2010.... in any training position, any industry. My experience is that most companies do not know this. I've even come across trainers who don't know the difference between PTTLS and A1/A2 awards and plenty who have no training qualificatoins or experience at all. Having said that I've also come across qualified trainers who just havent updated thier knowledge and skills ever... I would happily show my clients my training certs an insurance certs if asked... I have trained people who call me weeks later to ask how I got 'into' training as they would like to do it... As for college tutors...least said the better....:wink2:

 

[kennedia]

Personally I think the issue is not so much one of experience in the required treatment (although this of course is necessary) but of actual experience of teaching.

Many years of industry experience does not necessarily make someone a good teacher. An average trainer perhaps, but not a good teacher.

I don't rate the PTLLS qualification at all, and believe it is the main reason for the general dumbing down of training standards in this industry.

I'm not convinced this is a recoverable situation unfortunately.

 

[elliebee]

Personally I think the issue is not so much one of experience in the required treatment (although this of course is necessary) but of actual experience of teaching.

Many years of industry experience does not necessarily make someone a good teacher. An average trainer perhaps, but not a good teacher.

I actually think a great trainer will have a combination of both.

Years of working "on the shop floor" (and being good at the skill) combined with a proper teaching qualification is what's needed.

We have some great trainers on this site who give their advice and expertise freely.

However, I am surprised that, with the exception of Hippy-Chick, no-one has said how long they have been practicing and training?

Perhaps if some of the more experienced trainers came on and shared just how long it had taken them to get where they are now, newbies may realise that getting a training qualification soon after completing their OWN training is not the way forward and can only have a negative effect on the industry.

 

[ClaireL]

As both of them are qualified for a good period of time and both actually working in extensions I wouldn't mind either. My point is if one of them had just trained in extensions then 6 months or a year later went into training would you be happy? Once you have years and years experience there isn't much difference but to be able to do a day course and then 6 months later teach even if you don't actually run a beauty business is possible at the moment.

I don't like anyone lying to me and thinking I am stupid enough not to do my research and I am afraid there are too many out there doing that at the moment and some of them when it isn't actually necessary.

It is easy to do research on any trainer as there is enough information out there. Ask to see their original certificates from when they trained and their training certificates. Ask others who have trained with them what they think and check with the insurers they say they are accredited with.:wink2:

True - I guess aslong as the trainer has a suitable amount of experience in both areas and relevant qualifications in both the treatment and the training I would be happy! But then the question I guess is what constitutes as suitable and you are right 6 months would not be!

 

[kennedia]

I actually think a great trainer will have a combination of both.

Years of working "on the shop floor" (and being good at the skill) combined with a proper teaching qualification is what's needed.

We have some great trainers on this site who give their advice and expertise freely.

However, I am surprised that, with the exception of Hippy-Chick, no-one has said how long they have been practicing and training?

Perhaps if some of the more experienced trainers came on and shared just how long it had taken them to get where they are now, newbies may realise that getting a training qualification soon after completing their OWN training is not the way forward and can only have a negative effect on the industry.

Started off in beauty around 1996/1997, picking up further skills as I went along. Started teacher training around the same time, have practiced therapies in different salons, mobile, home based etc. and on the teaching side have taught children, adults, adult basic education, children with special needs, and on a couple of degree programmes. I have 7306 with D32 and D33, and PGCE with QTS.

 

[little-miss-owl]

Did you do any research on this course beforehand. Did you complain afterwards or ask for a refund. Everyone should complaining to the insurance companies that have accredited these courses if they are not happy. Sounds awful! :wink2:

Nope we didn't do any research as this was the only course in Jersey we could take and it was too expensive to send us to the mainland to do it.

I wrote two sides of A4 after it finished saying how terrible it was. It was on Mondays, in the spring. So it was constantly cancelled because of Bank Holidays and Easter. The second week it was cancelled because the trainer buggered off to Excel!

I had never heard of VCTC before this... both me and my friend were Cidesco therapists but we were still expected to take the most brutal Health and Safety exam I have ever done. If anyone on here has ever taken it they will know what I mean, it was in riddles and we failed twice. The college however never gave us any revision material or even taught us anything on that subject. It was such a joy the whole thing... so glad it wasn't me paying for it!!!

 

[rheane78]

very good point and until recently i wouldn't have thought twice about it but i definitely will go check up now on my trainer. i had a very odd experience a few weeks back as a treat for doing really well our college had organised gelicure training (from an independent trainer) for a small group of us and well i made a right mess of it because i expected the polish to not be so thin and runny an completely flooded the nail and cuticle and it looked awful! but i still have a certificate to say im gelicure trained i wouldn't like to try on clients as i have high expectations of myself (im a perfectionist and it even irritates me sometimes but i think that will make me a good therapist because id rather take my time and give a good treatment than slap dash substandard) needless to say i wont be providing any treatments if im not confident in my ability to paying clients.

 

[shedunlop]

very good point and until recently i wouldn't have thought twice about it but i definitely will go check up now on my trainer. i had a very odd experience a few weeks back as a treat for doing really well our college had organised gelicure training (from an independent trainer) for a small group of us and well i made a right mess of it because i expected the polish to not be so thin and runny an completely flooded the nail and cuticle and it looked awful! but i still have a certificate to say im gelicure trained i wouldn't like to try on clients as i have high expectations of myself (im a perfectionist and it even irritates me sometimes but i think that will make me a good therapist because id rather take my time and give a good treatment than slap dash substandard) needless to say i wont be providing any treatments if im not confident in my ability to paying clients.

Actually this is a really good point. The passing of these courses and issuing of certificates seems to be only to state that the student has been shown some of what is required rather than reaching a standard required. It is such a shame that so many colleges and individual trainers do not take a pride in their own work.

There are so many good trainers and colleges out there but they seem to be swamped with competition from the others. :wink2:

 

[little voyce]

My belief is (and I may very well be wrong....) is that to get accreditation via The Guild, it is necessary to have ONE year's experience in your chosen subject and a PTTLS qualification.

It was always stated to me that, to teach in FE, FIVE years industry experience was required though we could start our training before being fully qualified. This does make sense, because in order to complete most of the tasks, you need to be in a teaching capacity. How rigorous our teaching was, depended on the ability of our course directors. A good course director would ensure that teaching was up to scratch....

I have been considering running my own courses (1-to-1 tuition in electricals etc) but was dismayed that The Guild criteria was so low. How would a potential student differentiate between a tutor with 15 years experience, assessors award (for what it's worth...) and a Cert Ed? and 12 months and 4-day PTTLS offer?

It has made me seriously consider the viability of a separate therapists' institution for advanced therapists. Any takers?..

 

[Matthew Taylor]

There have been a few points made about experience of actual teaching to be a trainer (ie they should have lots of teaching experience as well as general subject experience) - so how can someone get experience if they're frowned upon working without the experience.... You know the chicken and the egg scenario

 

[shedunlop]

It is chicken and egg, definitely Matthew and there is also the element that some therapists are better than others.

My main reason for this thread was to draw attention to the fact that checking qualifications and experience of trainers should be checked by those wishing to get proper training and good value for money when booking a course. It is obvious that there are some very disappointing experiences for some of our lovely geeks.

My advice, for what it's worth, would be to have the particular treatment that you wish to train in by the trainer. That way you can, at least, see if they can actually carry out a full and professional treatment. Of course some trainers do not run salons or have moved on from them and only train and sometimes are just too far away to attend just for a treatment. Having said that if you are paying out large sums of money for good training then you should do everything you can to ensure that you are going to get the standard of training you are expecting.

Don't trust names to represent what you are getting. Academies can turn out to be someone's back bedroom, which is ok if converted properly and used for the sole purpose and it is explained to you beforehand, but it is not an Academy now is it? Schools and Institutions can lead you to believe that there are a number of trainers, when, in fact, there is only one trainer with little experience in their subject and with a Pttlls certificate with the ink still wet.

Just do your homework people!:wink2: