Level 3 massage route - feeling let down, help!

[Ugg73]

I'm only in week 5 of my level 3 massage course but I'm really freaking out. We have our body massage:swedish exam tomorrow and then 2 assessments on Thursday and 2 after half term but no more lessons on it. We then move onto hot/cold stones for a couple of weeks before taking out test and assessments and then only 2 weeks for Indian Head Massage.

Now I'm only part-time (2 nights a week) and I know we have to motor but this is all because facial electricals take a long time. HOWEVER, this is a massage course and I feel I'm learning a set routine but don't feel confident to modify this to suit needs as we've had no time to explore any further moves.

Is this normal? I feel we are moving super fast and I don't think I'm very competent. I was flying at level 2 and very confident but I feel I will be short changing clients - any help gratefully received.

If I withdrew and did individual courses - body massage, hot stones etc (level 3 and all NVQ/VTCT)- I've been told I will not get a job in a salon/spa because they expect the full level 3 - :Scared:

 

[Ugg73]

Anyone have any advice? Would those of you who have salon/spa businesses employ someone who has individual massage courses rather than level 3 beauty? I would not be doing facial or body electrics.

I really need some industry guidance

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[rubywoo]

I'm afraid you're experiencing something that makes me utterly despair of the standards or lack thereof in beauty training the the moment. I have taken apprentices from colleges all over London and the lack of A&P knowledge worries me greatly, they seem to be taught some sort of wishy washy stroking technique with no idea of how to work on individual muscles, ascertain if problems should be referred to doctors/physios/osteos etc. In my experience you need to retrain new therapists from scratch, it's heart breaking and annoying at how badly colleges are letting therapists down now. I noticed the first significant change about 10 years ago, when trade testing for spa therapists there was a sudden and noticeable drop in the abilities of college leavers which seems to have never improved.

So I for one would prefer someone who has taken the time and effort to ensure that she has had the best possible training she can find. It shows that you care and have pride in the quality of your work. Ideally I would prefer my therapists to also have their facial and body electrical and electrolysis qualifications, but I would by no means rule you out as you can also train in these at a later date.

Trust your instincts, I'm always desperate for beauty therapists with outstanding massage skills, they are rare and highly prized assets in my opinion!

 

[pure]

I did my level 3 fast track like you, 2 evenings a week for a year. 1 evening was electrical facials and 1 massage. For the massage route we did Swedish, aromatherapy and Indian Head, each taking 1 term each, so I would agree yours does seem to be rushing things!

Whatever you decide to do you will need your level 3 A&P, so it's worth staying just to gain that. Have you mentioned to your tutor that it feels rushed and that you don't feel confident in the treatments?

 

[squidgernetball]

If you can, stick it out. As an employer it is a damn sight easier to do a block insuring of employees at nvq level 2 or 3 or both. Imagine having to call the insurance company and ask if they cover all the different day courses that all the different therapists could have done. I also have salon insurance with Babtac who are apparently not insuring certain day courses without an nvq behind them.

I really think you seem to be working hard to get the best from your experiences but I also think some college courses are pretty poor. If you came to me with an nvq but said you needed a bit of help adapting it for different situations I would be totally happy to support you with this.

Learn everything you can, and remember it never stops, so get your nvq then do a day course in adapting massage or further techniques if you feel you need it. You may find that when it comes to it, you're actually doing fine.

Good luck

Vic x

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[Ugg73]

Thanks everyone for your comments and views. I spoke to the head of beauty (not impressed with her attitude) but a very understanding conversation with my tutor. She agrees that the part-time course is really condensed - the attitude seems to be get through 3 or 4 assessments doing a bog standard routine with little understanding and a spa/salon will sort the problems out once we qualify :irked:

I have withdrawn from my course and will be starting a VTCT Level 3 Complementary Therapies Diploma with a holistic training school who have a excellent reputation. I will therefore have my full a&p - probably more fully than the beauty massage route.

My new course will consist of body massage which will take approximately 5 months and I need to do 30 case studies - the teaching is in small groups or 1-to-1. I will then do reflexology and aromatherapy. It will take me about 10 months - the tutor seems brilliant and very knowledgeable - as a former tutor at my college she knows exactly what I've experienced so I feel she understands what I'm trying to do.

I will then do Indian Head massage and hot stones.

I feel so much relief - I know I'm going down the right path now - college is not always the answer - felt like a sausage making machine, I'm too old for that and respect myself too much to have mediocrity especially for £2,300!!

My new course will be £1300 so I'm getting better quality and a good price. I hope I will still appear versatile as I have my level 2 skills. I've decided that I can't worry too much about how employable I will be in a salon - I need to do a course I believe in and equips me to be a competent therapist. :biggrin:

 

[sunflowerfi]

I'm doing the massage route two nights a week too but without electrical facials. We do Swedish massage one evening and a&p and Indian head the other. We will also be learning hot stone and aromatherapy massage.
We aren't doing exams until mid November x

 

[Ugg73]

I'm doing the massage route two nights a week too but without electrical facials. We do Swedish massage one evening and a&p and Indian head the other. We will also be learning hot stone and aromatherapy massage.
We aren't doing exams until mid November x

I think things would have been fine if the college did that. I wish you all the luck as your course sounds so much better.

Now the dust has settled over the last 24hrs I'm excited about my new course - I'm feeling more true to myself. :green: