QUALIFICATIONS

The Irish Academy offer a wide range of Diploma and Certificate programmes that are recognised by industry and employers. Many of our qualifications are underpinned by leading industry insurers, enabling graduates to avail of professional indemnity and insurance. The qualifications offered on our beauty Specialist and Teaching diploma programmes are validated by ITEC an international accreditation authority. The ITEC qualifications are recognised in Ireland and in many countries around the world including USA, Australia, New Zealand, Bahrain, Channel Islands, China, Cyprus, Malaysia, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, Kenya, Malta, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Spain.

The ITEC awards are one of the most accepted standards in the beauty industry. The qualification is also highly recognised within the insurance industry enabling the holder to acquire professional indemnity and insurance – for seeking employment or setting up a business.

The ITEC modular system enables students to progress in their chosen field from certificate through to diploma and onto teaching.The ITEC awards will be integrated with the Irish National Qualifications Authority when the beauty industry is regulated – heightening public awareness of its validity.

To read more about ITEC click on the link below.

OTHER AWARDS IN THE BEAUTY INDUSTRY

There are other qualifications that enable persons to gain employment, in the beauty industry. CIBTAC and CIDESCO have been around for many years and in more recent times VCTC have entered the industry in Ireland. Sometimes it can be confusing for the beginner who might be researching to train as a beautician – trying to decide who is who – and what is what.

The following information might help you in your quest – however it is strongly recommended you conduct your own research – as the following is only a brief overview.

The different qualifications awarded for the beauty industry are managed by separate companies or organisations. In essence they are separate businesses selling similar products. The content of their qualifications is very much the same covering all the core subjects needed to qualify as a beauty therapist. Training providers (such as ourselves) would be licensed (and monitored) by their award bodies to deliver their training programmes.

HOW DO I KNOW WHICH QUALIFICATION TO CHOOSE ? 

If you intend using the training to pursue a career (part-time or full time) you should make sure you can take out insurance and professional indemnity on completion of the award. You should ask the college about insurance before you commence your training. When they tell you the insurers you should ring the insurers for confirmation. If you are concerned about the qualifications offered by the college ask who the awarding body is and ring that body to make sure the college is licensed to deliver the awards.

As mentioned already the separate awards discussed are all accepted within the beauty and insurance industry. However, the quality of training, is dependant on the individual colleges and how they conduct their business. Ideally, it would be preferable to speak to a past student, although this is not always possible. But there are some early warning signs the might indicate how a college conducts its business such as

FIRST POINT OF CONTACT 

When you make the first contact (by phone or internet) is there someone to help with your query? Do you get all your questions answered? Are you happy with the response?

Can they post you information? Does the information arrive promptly or do you have to request it again? If you choose to train with the college will they offer you support outside of course hours?

What kind of support and learning resources will they provide you with during training? Do they have postgraduate courses if you wish to pursue other qualifications?

Can you pay your fees by instalments? Will you have a class timetable when starting the programme? Can you meet management in person? How experienced are the teachers?

WHEN YOU START

When you start your training you should get a class timetable for projecting at least 8 weeks at a time. It is not a good sign if timetables are constantly changed. Ideally you should have consistency with tutors and a clear outline of the subjects being taught. Classes should be delivered as scheduled (except in emergency) with clear aims and objectives for each class. You should be given a good overview of how exams are conducted and what is expected of you in order to pass. If you are having any problems related to your studies or training there should be a procedure to discuss it with management or tutors.

OPPORTUNITIES

The beauty industry is one of the biggest growth industries in the world with females (and males) now spending millions on products and treatments. A recent survey revealed that the global value of the beauty industry is second only to the food industry. This massive growth has created a vast amount of career and business opportunities.

Not many careers offer as many exciting and glamorous options as the beauty industry. Qualified personnel can pursue careers in salons, leisure centres, spas, cruise liners, retail sales, product sales, product educators, nail technicians, make-up artists, beauty consultants. And for those really motivated there are a multitude of business opportunities to own your own salon, have your own product range, become an educator, freelance nail technician/make up artist, mobile beauty therapist or start a business from home.

See below for a choice career opportunities.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and good luck with your research.

Derek O Kelly
Director & Principal