When considering a beauty, holistic or nail training course it can seem overwhelming. There are a wide variety of courses ranging from short, individual treatment courses, to year long all-encompassing ones. So, which one is best for you?
Your choice of course will most likely be governed by your personal circumstances and which stage of your career you are at. If you are already qualified then you may just be looking to top-up or refresh your skills, whilst those entering the industry for the first time will probably require a broader spectrum of subjects.
National Qualifications
Longer courses are usually nationally recognised qualifications such as NVQ, VTCT or ITEC certificates. These can be expensive and require a lot of hours of study and so require a big commitment. However, they tend to be recognised by more employers and training schools and so can be a good starting point if you have the time.
Private Courses
If you are looking to add to your range of treatments, or only wish to study certain ones, then a shorter private training course may be for you. These usually last anything between a single day or a week and cover just one treatment. These are not as widely recognised and so may be best suited for those wanting to be self-employed.
How To Choose A Training Course
When choosing between courses, there are a number of factors to consider. Whilst the cost, duration and distance to travel are all important, you should not judge a course simply on these elements. Some courses will include a product kit, some have smaller or one-to-one classes and some will include more practical time. Therefore, instead of choosing the cheapest course, you are better opting for the one that offers the best value for money.
Once you have narrowed down your choices, it is a good idea to pick up the phone and speak to the school themselves. Find out more about what the course involves, what will be expected of you and get a feel for their style of learning. This will help you to know what is the best course, and also the best learning environment for you.
Accreditation
It can be good to look out for courses that have been accredited. This means that their content has been checked and meets their particular standards. However, accreditation is not fool-proof and so it best to also look for online reviews of the school and the course.
Distance Learning
There are also distance learning courses available which allow you to study from home in your own time. Whilst these can be incredibly convenient, you should choose your course wisely. Many will only involve a written assessment and so will not be recognised by insurance companies. This is because your knowledge of a treatment can be very different to your ability to perform it, and so ideally, both should be tested. Some distance learning courses allow you to attend a training centre to perform a practical assessment, submit completed work or record a video.
Whatever course you opt for, make sure it is the best one for you personally. Do not allow your choice to simply be dictated by the cheapest or nearest. Broadening your choices can also broaden your horizons.