With the Covid-19 pandemic, lots of people have either had to or been more inclined to, think about changing their careers. One sector that has boomed over the past few years is the nail industry, growth that looks set to continue as we emerge from the pandemic.
Some people are drawn to this sector because of their interest in beauty and art and like the idea of being able to flex their creative muscles. A career as a Nail Technician could also give you a lot of flexibility in income, especially if you choose to start your own nail business.
Given that the average woman in the UK spends £450 per year on nails, there are excellent prospects in this industry for well-trained, professional technicians. According to statistics, the average Nail Technician earns up to £25,000, and those endorsed by celebrities can far surpass this amount.
If you want to start a new career as a Nail Technician, you’ll need training and a recognised qualification. You might be able to start out after ‘self-training’, but with the competition from qualified technicians in the industry, you’re likely to struggle to build a business that’s anything more than just ‘friends and family’.
As well as examples of your work and great reviews, new clients are also likely to want the reassurance that you’re trained, qualified, and really know what you’re doing. Plus, if you’re looking for work in a salon or spa, they are going to want to know you’ve been properly trained.
How Can You Find a Good Nail Technology Course?
Although many institutions now offer Nail Technician courses, the quality of the tuition and the experience and abilities you leave with can vary. In a competitive industry, you want to develop your skills to the highest level possible.
The number of online courses has grown during the various lockdowns, and while many of these are excellent, they can’t compete with the experience and skills you will develop with hands-on, face to face training.
So, how can you find a good nail course? Follow these tips:
Check the Reviews
The internet has made it easy to evaluate the quality of different courses. Most students leave reviews once they’ve completed their courses, and the best courses will actively encourage this if they are confident in their offering. These reviews can help you get a better idea of the quality and kind of training you will get and whether this is what you are looking for.
What were the trainers like? How much hands-on training was included in the course? Does the course include the option of a professional standard nail kit? What qualifications will you leave with? These are all the things you can find out from the trainees who’ve completed the courses you’re considering, helping inform your decision.
On the subject of reviews, while it probably makes sense to avoid courses with mostly negative reviews, don’t be immediately put off a course if you see one or two negative comments, especially if these have been addressed by the course provider. It may not always be the course’s fault that one or two people had a bad experience, so take an objective view of the feedback in these reviews and don’t rule the course out straight away, especially if the overwhelming feedback is positive.
Make Sure the Course is Accredited
While a lot of the beauty industry remains unregulated, it can be very easy for anyone to create and sell a nail course, especially if it is only online. One of the best ways to make sure you’ll get the skills and training you need from a course, not to mention the qualifications, is to look for courses that are accredited to the professional bodies and organisations representing the beauty industry and training providers.
By studying at an accredited institution, not only will you be certain that the course meets the industry standards, but you will also be able to take out the necessary professional insurance once you start working. In the UK, choosing Nail Technician courses accredited by the Association of Beauty Therapists and the CPD will give you the reassurance that you’ll receive the training you’re looking for.
Check the Qualifications Offered
As well as getting the training you need to develop the various skills a successful Nail Technician requires, you should also check that the course you choose will give you the appropriate qualification on completion of your training.
Whether it’s your new clients or the salon owner you’re interviewing with, they are going to want to see recognised qualifications that give them the confidence you’ve been trained to a level that matches the industry standards, so make sure you understand what qualifications your course will give you and whether these will be what you need for your chosen career path.
Make Sure They Offer Hands-On Experience
You can’t get a much more hands-on occupation than being a Nail Technician – so to make sure you’re ready for this and have the necessary skills, the best training is going to include plenty of practical experience. Online courses are great for showing you how it’s done, but to develop the skills you need, having a trainer guide you through the steps in person is going to be the best way to learn. Or gain experience at a top class establishment like the best beauty parlour in hyderabad.
While the hands-on experience where you get in face to face training is always preferable, different courses will allocate different levels of resources to delivering this. Large classes with a single trainer or courses that are crammed into too short a timeframe could limit your valuable trainer-led hands-on training – so make sure to find out how much of this you are going to receive.
Do They Offer Business Advice
Of course, your primary goal from attending a training course is to develop the skills and qualifications you need to be able to work as a Nail Technician. Perhaps you are more than happy using these skills working for some else in a salon or spa – or maybe you have other ambitions.
Perhaps you’re thinking you might want to work for yourself, either freelance, as a mobile technician, or maybe even open up your own salon. If you’ve never run a business before, a course that includes advice on getting set up and operating a business that runs as smooth as the lacquer on the nails you’re decorating could be what you need.
What Do You Need to Start Your Nail Technology Course?
When you consider that they could open the door to a whole new career with great earning potential, the costs of most nail courses are usually quite affordable. Once you’ve signed up for a course, most of them will either offer or recommend the most suitable nail kit you need for your training, which is also relatively inexpensive. Once you have that and your courses start date, you’re pretty much ready to go.
As a fully qualified Nail Technician, you’ll have excellent prospects in the booming beauty industry. So make sure you spend time choosing the best training course for you. Then, with your new skills and qualification combined with your creativity and enjoyment for what you’re doing, you can be sure your new career will be off to a great start.