With an Apprenticeship, you can earn money while you’re learning and gain recognised qualifications as you work.
As employees, Apprentices earn a wage and work alongside experienced staff to gain job-specific skills. Off the job, usually on a day-release basis, Apprentices receive training to work towards nationally recognised qualifications. Apprenticeships can take between one and four years to complete depending on the level of Apprenticeship, the Apprentices’ ability and the industry sector.
Stoke on Trent College works with hundreds of businesses across the local area, helping you find the most cost-effective and practical solutions to compete in an increasingly global business landscape.
College Mission
"Delivering Excellence in Learning, Skills and Employability."
Strategic Aims
Aim 1: Deliver Excellence in Teaching & Learning
Aim 2: Put our learners and customers first
Aim 3: Invest in an efficient, sustainable & profitable organisation
Aim 4: Optimise business growth opportunities
You can work in a range of settings, from salons to department stores or cruise ships, or even go mobile and bring your skills to people's homes.
Hairdressers will start by getting a broad level of training, and then
perhaps look to gain skills in more specific areas. People training
to work in the beauty industry have a wide range of choices as to which skills they would like to learn.
Our new purpose built £11 million Lifestyle Building offers industry
standard, cutting-edge facilities in which to learn. Combined with
outstanding success rates, Stoke on Trent College is the place to start your career in hair, beauty or holistic therapies. With experienced tutors from your chosen industry, a track record of success in national competitions and great links with local employers, you can be assured of the best possible education.
This course is designed for people who already have a good level of Beauty Therapy skills through training or experience and want to develop those skills further to a higher level and gain a recognised qualification.
This course involves attending college 1 day a week, and working 4 days in a salon environment. There are two options: ladies hairdressing and gentsí barbering. The former involves styling using drying and setting techniques, as well as cutting and colouring. The gentsí option involves cutting using barbering techniques and cutting facial hair. Functional skills are completed as part of this course.
This course involves attending college 1 day a week, and working 4 days in a salon environment. There are two options: ladies advanced hairdressing.
You will practice and enhance your skills on a wide range of commercial clients. Theoretical work will be closely linked with demonstrations and practical activities. Functional skills level 2 in English and Maths are completed as part of this course.
Entry Level vocational courses for students aged 16 - 19. This course is for students who may need to work on their English, Maths and Personal and Social skills before progressing onto a level 1 vocational course.
All Hair, Beauty & Holistic Therapy courses offer a great education through practical skills and theoretical knowledge. All the tutors are highly qualified and experienced, working to teach the latest styles and techniques.
Courses also involve functional skills and personal and social development and will provide a valuable insight into the hairdressing and beauty industries and will develop a range of basic skills and knowledge. They also involve different aspects of working in a commercial environment.
These courses offer natural progression from Level 1, or an ideal start for those with the right qualifications. Assessment is by practical assessment and portfolio.
Students will learn further skills and develop existing ones in their specific subject area.
Complementary Therapy students study aromatherapy massage techniques and anatomy and physiology.
These courses are designed for people who have already achieved a Level 2 qualification and want to develop those skills further to a higher level gaining an industry recognised qualification in a growing sector.
The Diploma in Beauty Therapy is an ideal passage straight into any associated industry.
This is a new course designed for those interested in a career relating to make-up, nail treatments and beauty consultancy. You will develop practical skills in nail treatments; nail art; make-up application and instruction and will learn how to promote products and services in the salon and display stock to promote sales.
You will also develop a sound knowledge of health and safety practice in a salon environment and promotion of client care and communication in beauty related industries.
Following successful completion of the course you will achieve two VTCT qualifications:
Level 2 Certifcate in Make-up and Beauty Consultancy.
Level 2 Certifcate in Nail Treatments.
These courses are designed for people who have already achieved a Level 2 qualification and want to develop those skills further to a higher level gaining an industry recognised qualification in a growing sector.
The Diploma in Spa Therapy gives you the opportunity to practice a number of different disciplines and therefore fully preparing you for various possible careers.
These courses are designed for people who have already achieved a Level 2 qualification and want to develop those skills further to a higher level gaining an industry recognised qualification in a growing sector.
Those choosing the make-up option, will be more set on a career in a specific industry such as make-up consultancy, make-up artistry or media make-up.
These courses offer natural progression from Level 1, or an ideal start for those with the right qualifications. Assessment is by practical assessment and portfolio.
Students will learn further skills and develop existing ones in their specific subject area.
Complementary Therapy students study aromatherapy massage techniques and anatomy and physiology.
These courses are designed for people who have already achieved a Level 2 qualification and want to develop those skills further to a higher level gaining an industry recognised qualification in a growing sector.
The intensive Diploma in Complementary Therapy option adds and builds on Level 2 experience.
All Hair, Beauty & Holistic Therapy courses offer a great education through practical skills and theoretical knowledge. All the tutors are highly qualified and experienced, working to teach the latest styles and techniques.
Courses also involve functional skills and personal and social development, and will provide a valuable insight into the hairdressing and beauty industries and will develop a range of basic skills and knowledge. They also involve different aspects of working in a commercial environment.
The Unit Titles for this course are:-
Mandatory:-
Introduction to hair & beauty sector
Presenting a professional image
Optional:-
Shampooing & Conditioning
Creat an image using colour in the hair & beauty sector
Styling women's hair
All Hair, Beauty & Holistic Therapy courses offer a great education through practical skills and theoretical knowledge. All the tutors are highly qualified and experienced, working to teach the latest styles and techniques.
Courses also involve functional skills and personal and social development and will provide a valuable insight into the hairdressing and beauty industries and will develop a range of basic skills and knowledge. They also involve different aspects of working in a commercial environment.
All Hair, Beauty & Holistic Therapy courses offer a great education through practical skills and theoretical knowledge. All the tutors are highly qualified and experienced, working to teach the latest styles and techniques.
Courses also involve functional skills and personal and social development and will provide a valuable insight into the hairdressing and beauty industries and will develop a range of basic skills and knowledge. They also involve different aspects of working in a commercial environment.
These courses offer natural progression from Level 1, or an ideal start for those with the right qualifications. Assessment is by practical assessment and portfolio.
Students will learn further skills and develop existing ones in their specific subject area.
Complementary Therapy students study aromatherapy massage techniques and anatomy and physiology.
These courses are designed for people who have already achieved a Level 2 qualification and want to develop those skills further to a higher level gaining an industry recognised qualification in a growing sector.
Hairdressing students will further develop theri skills already learnt, fully preparing them to become a professional.
This course is for you if you want to refresh and develop your existing beauty therapy skills to a new level or specialism such as eye and lash treatments, waxing and electrical therapy. You will be taught the up to date practial skills, products and techniques supported by the knowledge and understanding.
You will have the opportunity to log the skills you have updated and practiced and will achieve a College Certificate of Attendance.
This course is for you if you want to refresh, build confidence or advance your existing hairdressing skills to a creative level.
You will be given the opportunity to practice skills and refresh techniques gained through previous vocational training. You will be taught the up to date practical skills, latest ptoducts and techniques supported by the knowledge and understanding.
You will have the opportunity to log the skills you have updated and practiced and will achieve a College Certificate of Attendance.
This course offers an introduction to the massage industry, and could be an access to level 3 courses, or a route into work as an assistant in a salon, clinic or in the care industry.
Units you will study include:
Provide Head and Scalp Massage within Complementary Therapies
Health Safety and Hygiene for Complementary Therapies
Introduction to Clinic Services and Business Awareness for Complementary Therapies
Introduction to Principles and Practice of Complementary Therapies
Knowledge of Anatomy and Physiology for Complementary Therapies
This is a vocational qualification designed for people who have already completed the Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Beauty Therapy and wish to specialise in nail treatments.
If you are planning or have recieved an invitation to a special occasion this short course will offer advice and guidance with practical skills training to enable you to achieve that special look for your hair.
If you are planning or have received an invitation to a special occasion this short course will offer advice and guidance with practical skills training to help you achieve that special look.
The nail industry has increasingly become separate to beauty therapy as specialist nail salons become commonplace in the high street.
The VTCT Level 2 Certificate in Nail Treatments is a specialist vocationally related qualification which will develop the basic knowledge, skills and competencies that you need to work as a manicurist or pedicurist and is the minimum standard required to work effectively. This qualification enables you to provide treatments for relaxation and improving the condition and appearance of the skin and nails on the hands and feet. The qualification is most suited to students who wish to embark on a career as a nail technician.
Units of study include:
Follow health and safety practice in the salon
Client care and communication in beauty-related industries
Provide manicure treatments
Provide pedicure treatments
Working with others in the hair and beauty sector
In this vocational qualification you will develop your knowledge and understanding of the theory underpinning the practice of sports massage therapy, including functional anatomy and physiology, nutrition, classification of sports injuries and the stages of healing. You will also gain an understanding, skills and techniques to plan, prepare for and apply a range of sports massage methods to uninjured clients. You will also develop skills to evaluate massage strategies and methods to inform on future practice.
This qualification is comprised of two mandatory units:
Functional anatomy, physiology and nutrition for sports therapies
Applying sports massage methods to non-pathological tissue
Progression onto the Foundation Degree in Complementary Therapies or an alternative specialism is possible.
This vocational course is for those wishing to learn an additional skill or pursue a career as an aromatherapist.
Units you will study include:
Health, safety and hygiene for complementary therapies.
Principles and practice of complementary therapies.
Knowledge of anatomy, physiology and pathology for complementary therapies.
Provide Aromatherapy.
This is a vocational course for those who wish to specialise in massage therapy.
You will study the following units:
Health, safety and hygiene for complementary therapies.
Principles and practice of complementary therapies.
Knowledge of anatomy, physiology and pathology for complementary therapies.
Provide Body Massage for complementary therapies.
This course is for those wishing to specialise in reflexology treatments. This qualification can lead into more advanced courses on reflexology techniques, other complementary therapies or the Foundation Degree in Complementary therapies.
Units you will study include:
Knowledge of Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology for Complementary Therapies
Provide Reflexology
It is becoming widely acknowledged in the mainstream healthcare community that Complementary Therapies are playing an increasingly important role. People are becoming more active in determining their own health agenda. This higher education qualification provides an essential foundation for working within private practice or as part of a healthcare team.
KEY FACTS ABOUT HAIR, BEAUTY & HOLISTIC THERAPIES
Fashion hairdressing is a fast moving industry with a high level of job satisfaction
Beauty therapy is diverse, offering opportunities to expand skills and knowledge
Spa therapists are in high demand
Nail salons exist on most high streets
You can end up working on cruise liners or in international holiday resorts
POPULAR CAREER PROGRESSION:
Hairdresser / Barber
Hair Salon Manager
Beauty Therapist
Make-Up Artist
Spa Therapist
Holistic Therapist
Amy Hargreaves and Adele Webberley
Having never met before starting a Staffordshire University Foundation Degree in Complimentary Therapies, Adele Webberley and Amy Hargreaves have since become best friends and are launching a business together.
The enterprising pair from Stoke-on-Trent is now running Therapeutics UK, an alternative therapy company which sends trained practitioners to clinical and care centres, or private homes, to administer treatment.
"The idea is we want to take the company away from the hippy idea of alternative therapy and instead use advanced, science based practices, which is what we learnt on the course," Adele said.
When the company officially launches, in September this year, the aim is to only employ staff that come through a similar foundation degree to their own or through higher education.
And both Adele, 40, and Amy, 24, have hopes to progress their own academic careers, giving them an even better understanding of healthcare and further boost the credentials of Therapeutics UK.
Amy said: "The business is going to fund the studies and the important thing is to maintain professionalism, so we would both like to do the honours degree and then possibly go further – maybe a PhD eventually."
Both partners have had experience in the therapeutics industry before they started their foundation degrees, which took place at Stoke-on-Trent College.
Amy carried out Swedish massage at VCTC level – a specialist award body offering a range of vocational qualifications in subjects such as beauty therapy, sports therapy and health and fitness – and then decided she wanted to advance. She said: "I'd been looking to do something new but I didn't do any A-Levels so to go onto a foundation degree was very different for me."
Adele has come from a career in the Prison Service before entering the field of therapy. She said: "I started in 1990, left in 2005 and never went back. I got to the point where the job became demoralising so I decided I wanted a change."
She added: "I work well with people – and my Grandmother was a herbalist – so I decided to try complementary therapies because it seemed to be the right way to go."
When the pair met on the Complimentary Therapies Foundation Degree, they began helping each other and became best friends. Adele admits that "our ages are very different," but said: "When I had ideas I could bounce something of Amy. She became somebody that I could depend on."
Amy added: "While on the course I came to rely on Adele to check my work and help me. We've definitely become best friends and we wouldn't have met if it wasn't for the foundation degree.
"As well as that, I've definitely been impressed with the level of support we've had and the time the lecturers have given to us. I've loved it."
