Today, we are featuring two former apprentices from the International School of Beauty Therapy, a beauty training school based in Cheshire. Both have gone on to begin exciting careers in beauty therapy since completing their apprenticeships.
Danielle Jones took a VTCT Level 3 Apprenticeship in Beauty Therapy – Massage after starting with her Level 2. Now qualified, she has jetted off to work in luxury spas in Ibiza.
The 23-year-old said, “It’s something I’ve always been interested in and I took my Level 2 through the International School of Beauty Therapy. I was able to study from my place of work, the DoubleTree in Chester. At first, I attended the beauty school one day a week, then it was once a month, so it was absolutely fine.”
Danielle explains “I learned a lot and the staff made each lesson really enjoyable – I’d definitely recommend the International School of Beauty Therapy and taking the apprenticeship route, as you can learn on the job and you’re pretty much guaranteed a job at the end of it.”
Danielle managed to secure a fantastic opportunity to work in a range of hotel spas in Ibiza. She will be offering nail treatments, facials and a number of massage treatments and notes “I’m really looking forward to it”.
Danielle is motivated to keep learning and growing her skillset, noting “I’d also be interested in taking other courses in the future.”
Sam Large started her own business when she was just 19 after completing her apprenticeships with the International School of Beauty Therapy.
Sam started her first apprenticeship, Level 2 Beauty Therapy General, when she finished school in 2015 and then went on to take apprenticeships in Level 3 Beauty Therapy Massage and Level 3 in Nail Services.
Sam knew the apprenticeship route was what she wanted to do, explaining, “I knew I wanted to be working and learning.” Studying fit in well with her lifestyle and she made sure she was organised. She explains, “I managed to get most of the work done during the college day. I enjoyed the theory work and the day release to college from work; it broke up the week, and it was a change to do some theory work, I looked forward to it.”
Sam praises her experience: “The level of teaching was outstanding, my tutor, Sam, made my time there enjoyable; she would always be there to help as a tutor and a friend too.” She credits her apprenticeship with helping her build a solid foundation for her career: “I wouldn’t be where I am today without doing the courses – all the knowledge I have today is from what I learned with the International School of Beauty Therapy.”
Sam has since achieved what many people only dream of – starting her own successful nail business, Maison De Clous, and being her own boss.
She describes, “Starting my business at 19 was such a proud moment for me; I had always dreamt about it and didn’t think I would be in a position to do that so early on in my life.” She adds, “I love having my own business, I count my blessings every day and I always feel very humbled and forever thankful to my clients who made it possible for me.”
“Of course, you will always worry and be doubtful that it might not work out as you imagine or be successful. I had worked hard to build my clientele and reputation, and just had to overcome that fear and take the plunge – it’s the best thing I ever did.”
She adds: “To anyone who’s interested in beauty, I couldn’t advise these courses more. They will always be enjoyable and beneficial if it’s something you are interested in.”