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What qualifications do I need to be a spa therapist?
While there are many qualifications you can gain in beauty therapy from many different organisations, there are nationally recognised training programmes that offer a good starting point for entering the industry.
Learning organisations such as Learndirect provide information on where to start on their website, or you can call them to speak to an adviser. Many local higher education colleges offer nationally recognised courses in beauty therapy, so it is worthwhile contacting your nearest college to ask what courses are available. They will be able to offer advice on the application process and the choices available to you.
Awarding bodies:
There are a number of 'awarding bodies' who deal with the actual examining and accreditation involved with vocational qualifications such as NVQs and VRQs. The UK's largest is Edexcel (which encompasses the organisation that was formerly known as BTEC), but you may see qualifications offered by other organisations such as City & Guilds and VTCT (Vocational Training Charitable Trust). These awarding bodies all offer NVQs or VRQs, and you will end up with the same qualification at the end of your course regardless of which awarding body has examined your work. You do not need to contact the awarding bodies directly to apply, but they do provide some useful information on their websites, and have customer service agents you can call if you have any questions.
You will be able to apply for a training course at: · Local higher education colleges · Specialist colleges such as LCBT (London College of Beauty Therapy) · Spa colleges such as Champneys College
HABIA:
HABIA (Hairdressing and Beauty Industry Authority) is the standards-setting body, approved by the government, which sets the standards for qualifications such as NVQs and diplomas in hair, beauty, spa therapy, nails, and so on. A not-for-profit organisation, HABIA offers assistance and information to spas, salons, employees, and learners. Check that the course you are applying for is recognised by HABIA.
Qualifications:
To gain employment in a general spa therapy position, you should expect to be asked for a recognised training certificate or diploma, with most spas requesting training at HND or NVQ level 3, or an equivalent. While the NVQ is a national training course available at higher education colleges, there are also some specific diplomas in beauty or spa therapy awarded by other examining bodies within the health and beauty industry which will also be accepted by spas.
The main nationally recognised qualifications you can gain in beauty and spa therapy are as follows:
NVQ (National Vocational Qualification)
Courses available:
NVQ levels 1, 2, & 3 in Beauty Therapy:
At level 1 students will assist in facial and nail treatments and will be required to maintain the therapy work area, and assist with reception duties; at level 2 students will move on to skincare, manicures, further salon duties, make-up and nail art techniques; at level 3 students will move on to epilation, electro-therapy, head and body massage, and other spa therapies.
NVQ level 2 & 3 in Nail Services
NVQ level 3 in Spa Therapy:
Involving epilation, Indian head massage, product marketing, electro-therapy, and similar techniques to the Beauty Therapy course.
As well as NVQs, there are VRQs (Vocationally Related Qualifications) available, which are similar to the NVQ and will be available at the same level of qualification.
BTEC (Business & Technician Educational Council award)
BTEC nationals are divided into three levels: BTEC National Award, BTEC National Certificate, and BTEC National Diploma. They are designed to prepare students for direct entry into employment.
Courses available:
BTEC Higher National Certificate in Salon Management:
This consists of core training in customer service, human resource management, health and safety, and law, and options such as management accounting, marketing, training and development, and small business management.
BTEC National Award / BTEC National Certificate / BTEC National Diploma in Beauty Therapy Sciences: Consisting of core components and a selection of specialist options, the BTEC courses are in three levels, starting with the National Award (made up of 360 'guided learning hours'), and working up to the National Diploma (1080 guided learning hours). For example, the National Award will introduce you to dermatology and facial therapy, Indian Head Massage, Nail Technology, and Complementary Therapies.
HND (Higher National Diploma): Also from BTEC, the HND offers a chance to continue training up to the equivalent of the second year of a university degree. The course takes two years of full-time study, or one year full-time following successful completion of a Higher National Certificate. Part-time courses are also available, but will take longer to complete.
Diplomas
Apart from these national qualifications from higher education colleges, it is possible to gain a diploma from a specialised beauty therapy centre or local college, awarded and assessed by other British or International examining bodies. The main diplomas recognised by spas in the UK are as follows:
CIDESCO Diplomas - represented in 33 countries worldwide, this is 'the world's major international beauty therapy association', which also awards its own qualifications via centres around the globe, for example, Champneys College in Tring.
The CIDESCO diploma in beauty therapy involves a minimum of 1200 hours of training, with a combination of theoretical and practical work, leading to examinations, and at least 600 hours of work experience in a salon or spa. A Postgraduate Diploma is available to study following this qualification.
They also offer a Spa Therapy Diploma, which is available to study following completion of a Beauty Therapy Diploma, plus courses in aromatherapy and epilation.
There are other organisations that offer courses at the same levels of achievement as the ones mentioned above. Spas will often request that a spa therapist has training at 'NVQ level 3 or equivalent', so check that the course you opt for will help you attain the level of training necessary to find employment. Some of the recognised organisations include:
· CIBTAC (Confederation of International Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology) · IHBC (International Health and Beauty Council) · IIHHT (International Institute of Health and Holistic Therapies) · ITEC (International Therapy Examination Council)
Entry requirements:
Most colleges will ask for three GCSEs at around a grade D or above, with one in English. This may vary, so you should contact the college to ask before you apply.
You will be asked to fill in an application form, and you should take note of the deadline for submissions, as you will have to wait until the following year if you miss the given date.
Brand training
As some spas have an affiliation with a particular brand, the spa will follow the techniques prescribed by the brand's own training programmes. Training is usually provided once the therapist has begun work, and it is unlikely that a job vacancy would stipulate that it is a necessity to have this training before commencing work. If offered the opportunity to take additional training courses once you have started work as a therapist, it is a good idea to take the chance to learn additional skills, as these can be advantageous for future job applications, and in terms of expected salary.
Professional Associations
With suitable qualifications completed, you may be able to join a professional association related to your chosen profession, such as:
Beauty Therapists Association: www.beauty.assoc.org.uk
Complementary Therapists Association: www.complementary.assoc.org.uk
British International Spa Assocation: www.spaassociation.org.uk
Federation of Holistic Therapists: www.fht.org.uk
See also:
* What would I earn as a spa therapist, and how long are the hours?
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