How to Make Sense of it All!

You may have found whilst you have been researching that there are many different sets of initials and awarding bodies that people keep throwing at you!! We want to help try and make this a bit clearer, so here goes...

In this country we currently have a 3 tier system of qualification:

Upper Tier

The highest level of beauty qualification, most recognisable by all salon owners/public and fully insurable. With it you can work any where and have own business.

Known by the following: NVQ, ITEC or CIBTAC

Middle Tier

Some courses have been accredited by large beauty bodies who have accepted the beauty school and course are of high enough quality that they will put their logo to it. With ths you are able to gain insurance, but it is NOT the NATIONAL QUALIFICATION. Courses with at this level are usually the quickest and cheapest way to do it.

Known by the main insureres: BABTAC and GUILD

Lower Tier

These courses don’t have any accreditation at all and are to be avoided.

Pinks Beauty Training Academy offers both the middle and upper tier, the choice is yours.

Definitions of all the Initials

NVQ = National Vocational Qualification

A national, vocational qualification. Our nationally recognised qualification offered mainly in FE government colleges and some private collages such as Pinks. Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications avaliable. Alternatives to this award, offered else where, are qualifications such as Cibtac and Itec

Why would I want to do an NVQ as opposed to any other awards?

It is highly recognised by all salons, spas, therapists, the public
Nationally recognised How it is examined, an NVQ is competence based. It is worked to try and help the student and assess them as they develop, just as you would in a salon. You are not examined on everything in one large exam at the end as with many other awards. It is a continual process and if you fail one assessment you just redo the treatment
Flexible qualifications- you can chose to do just certain units and are not made to do the whole of level 2 for instance. E.g if you don't want to do waxing you don't have to do it. With many other qualifications this is not the case

NVQs can be awarded by two major bodies in this country;

City and Guilds or VTCT

We use the Vocational Training Charitable Trust =VTCT

Why?

The major awarding body in the UK, the market leader and provider of qualifications in body massage, beauty therapy, aromatherapy and reflexology.
Since 1962 they have been the specialists in this field

IIHHT, IIST and IHBC

Who are they?

IIHHT is the International Institute of Health and Holistic Therapies
IHBC are the International Health and Beauty Council
IIST are the International Institute of Sports Therapy

These are all divisons of VTCT and you should not be confused by them! Some qualifications will come under their banners i.e reflexology or they can come under both e.g. Manicure can be done as an NVQ or IHBC.