See why a role as a wedding planner is fast becoming a popular career.

 

Everyone dreams of their big day – what they will wear, where they will have it, what colour theme they will choose… It is a massive event and one that needs thorough planning, so it’s easy to see why a role as a wedding planner is fast becoming a popular career.

Every year hundreds of thousands of people get married! So whether you are looking for a career change or want to ensure that your own wedding goes off without a hitch; getting a Wedding Planner Diploma could be the answer you are looking for.

What do wedding planners do?
The best wedding planners give you the freedom to step back and make planning your wedding an enjoyable experience. Following an initial meeting where they gauge your interests in venues, themes, outfits, catering, entertainment and photography (to name a few), they will take the information you provide and compile a portfolio of options for each of these categories.

They essentially take the weight off your shoulders, so you can review your options free of stress or pressure, before going on to organise the event for you.

Depending on the bridal party’s needs, a wedding planner can arrange, organise and book everything on your behalf whilst adhering to your specified budget.

Why get a Wedding Planner Diploma?
Our diploma offers you more than tools on how to become a wedding planner and launch a new career. It can also be used for your own personal gain – organising your own wedding!
The fantastic thing about this course is that the modules provide you with the list you’ll need to carefully sort out your wedding and ensure nothing is missed.

The reality is – even the most organised of us can forget things. From forgetting to arrange a dress fitting for your bridesmaids to finding a photographer – weddings are a complex event filled with a long list of things to do. As the list grows, so does your chances of forgetting something.

Our Diploma removes all risk by providing you with all the essential tools, guidance and resources you need to successfully manage and pull off your wedding without a hitch.

And the bonus – not only can it help you make your wedding unforgettable, but it is a valuable asset to your CV.

As previously mentioned, weddings are an unlimited resource for work as every year thousands of people are getting married, and for many, the stress of organising a wedding is too much.

Working as a wedding planner, you can help to solve their problems and establish a promising and lasting career that is extremely rewarding.

We offer the following Diplomas:

  • Wedding Planner Diploma (Level 3)
  • Plan Your Own Wedding Diploma (Level 3)

What does our Wedding Planner Diploma involve?
Exclusively created by the same man who organised Madonna’s wedding to Guy Ritchie, our Wedding Planner Diploma is uniquely designed to show you how to become a wedding planner and create a profitable business.

Split over 14 modules, each are designed to cater to all elements of a wedding and what you’ll need to successfully implement them.

From understanding the role of a wedding planner, the wedding market, types of weddings and trends, to organising venues, themes, catering, printed materials, gift lists, entertainment, transportation and photography; within this course you’ll also learn how to market and sell your wedding service; set up your business and even organise proposals.

From learning the ins and outs of wedding planning, to becoming your own boss, this Diploma covers everything you need to establish a new career and can be completed at your own pace.

Whether your wedding is coming up in the next 6 months, or you want to launch your own business within the next few years – our course can be completed from the comfort of your own home at a rate of your choosing. You are in charge of how fast or how slow you learn. However, with the promise of 12 months unlimited tutor support, achieving your goal of starting your own wedding planning business within the next year IS possible.

Benefits of becoming a wedding planner
Even if your sole goal in learning how to become a wedding planner is to ensure your own wedding is a success; our diplomas can open many doors and unveil a talent you never previously considered.

So click here to learn more about our diplomas, and discover how you too can pull off a stress-free, stellar wedding that is unforgettable.

We’re pleased to announce that our Beauty Treatment Consultant Diploma Level 3 course is now available.

 

We’re pleased to announce that our Level 3 Beauty Treatment Consultant Diploma course is now available to study on NCC Home Learning.

The modules included in this diverse course feature all the requirements for the current national Level 3 qualifications, as well as some additional modules. This course is available to those wanting to improve their understanding of the different types of beauty therapies.

When you sign-up to the Beauty Treatment Consultant Diploma Level 3 course, you’ll have your own dedicated tutor who will assist you through your coursework and answer any questions you may have for the duration of the course. Additionally our help desk will provide you with any practical advice by email.

You have the freedom to start the course at any time, and continue your studies for a period of up to 12 months from initial registration with full tutor support.

For all the details including a list of all the modules, head over to our dedicated course page.

Research suggests that within a few weeks, the New Year resolutions have fallen by the wayside, all but forgotten.

 

Why New Year’s Resolutions Do Not Work – But Can with NLP!
New Year is a perfect time, or so you would think, to make those all important changes in your life. From stopping smoking to being more active, New Year resolutions are made by many people.

But, they don’t last. Research suggest that within a few weeks, the resolutions have fallen by the wayside, all but forgotten.

 

The reasons why resolutions don’t work

Resolutions are about making a change. Breaking one routine and attempting to replace it with an-other may, on the surface, seem like an easy thing to do.

And yet, as soon as the first hurdle or obstacle looms, the resolution fades away and here are five common reasons why:

#1 Emotional investment is lacking
We all know we should eat healthier/eat less/exercise more/not be as stressed and so on but un-less you feel the desire deep down inside of you to make a change, it can seem like an uphill battle right from the start.

#2 Unwillingness to raise standards
Everyone has different standards and desires when it comes to certain facets of life. Someone who gets up at 5 am for a morning run has a high dedication than someone who does no exercise at all. Making a change or sticking to a resolution may mean upping your dedication to a cause.

#3 Hedging your bets
It is a common phrase and this means holding on to something, ‘just in case’. For example, quitting smoking is a common New Year’s resolution but you don’t throw ashtrays away, just in case. If you decide to make a change, burn your boats, get rid of stuff and you will find a way to make it hap-pen.

#4 Lacking in internal motivation
Frankly, if your mo-jo to make a change is not in place, it ain’t gonna happen. To make a change and follow through with it, you need to have a strong emotional desire.

#5 You don’t believe you can change
What is often lacking is the self-belief that change is possible. This can be a negative cycle that many people are caught in. As soon as something happens that potentially thwarts the ‘new you’, you slip back into old ways.

How can NLP help?

There is help at hand with NLP courses which can be instrumental in helping people to make per-sonal and professional changes. NLP or Neuro-Linguistic Programming is a behavioural modification technique that came to prominence in the 1970s. Used by psychiatrists, psychologists, managers, counsellors and so on, NLP is a popular tool in the workplace. It is also used by many people in their personal lives and relationships too.

Essentially, it is a tool to initiate and motivate personal and positive changes. It focuses on the con-nection between mind and language, assessing how this connection affects both the body and be-haviour.

Over the years, there have been all kinds of claims, studies and research projects that have linked NLP with successful person changes including weight loss, reducing anxiety, negative moods and so on.

It has also been used in the sphere of learning as well as by many managers and supervisors in the workplace. The impact of making a positive change in anyone’s life is not to be underestimated.

NLP as a vocational skill

Understanding NLP in depth and how it can be applied in the workplace can open up many oppor-tunities for employees, as well as having a beneficial effect on productivity. Like New Year resolutions, changes in the workplace can be stressful and have a negative impact on employees and their morale.

For managers and supervisors, a grounding in NLP techniques can make a positive impact on how a team is managed but, finding the time to study for an NLP qualification can be tough.
Learning online through a home learning provider is one solution for gaining an NLP qualification:

NLP can make a big difference to your personal life but in your workplace too. Take a closer look.

Looking for a new challenge in terms of a career is not uncommon; many people have made the leap from one career to another.

New Year, New Start – but WHERE to Start?

As one year ends and another starts, we can feel invigorated. Looking for a new challenge in terms of a career is not uncommon; many people have made the leap from one career to another.

On the surface, it looks easy. You make the decision what you want to do, make the change and never look back.

But, finding your new career, choosing the right path and understanding what qualifications you need can seem confusing, daunting and off-putting.

#1 Make a list!
You may have a few ideas and options as to what career you would like to follow. If you have no idea, making a list of what you like and don’t like can be helpful in pointing you in the right direction.

You may, for example, enjoy cooking and have an interest in food and ingredients. You may also enjoy sports etc. You may already know that working with animals, or childcare is not a path you want to go down and this can rule out various career options.

Once you have this list, you can start browsing through some career ideas online. There are all kinds of useful websites that can provide more detailed information on what is needed to get started in a certain career, as well as the route to promotion.

Consider what you are good at – make a list of everything, no matter how ridiculous you think it sounds – what interests you, what you think you are natural at, as well as everything that you like.

Remember, in many professions soft skills are highly prized and valued so by not listing them, you could be doing yourself a disservice.

#2 Assess the qualifications needed
Most careers have some kind of basic qualification for people entering the profession, as well as additional skills and knowledge that may be needed for the next step.

Making sure you understand the basics of what is needed is important. You don’t want to spend all that time and money on a course, only to find that some agencies or organisations may not recognise it.

#3 Look for learning providers
Once you have an idea of the type of course needed, and the correct level of qualification, you now start your search for the right learning provider.

Some people choose to study at college, either on an evening course or by arranging time off if they are working. Some learners feel that they need this set pattern of learning and deadlines to ensure that they complete the course.

Some people are also still under the impression that this is the ‘right’ way to learn, and the only way that has any value.

But, times have changed and attitude to learning has changed. This is why home learning courses are becoming increasingly popular with students – and it is true across all levels of qualifications, from GCSEs to A-levels, to vocational courses too.

#4 Take the leap and enrol on home study courses!
For many people, giving up their current job to study full time is simply not an option. The mortgage or rent still needs paying, as do all the other bills but many people are also aware of student debt.

By studying at home, in your own time and carrying on in your current position, you get the best of all worlds: a qualification with value, a salary each month and no debt as you start your new career.

Sounds a bit too easy?
It can sound almost idyllic, with a bit of study here and there, you can gain a qualification and a new career. In many ways, it can be this simple but it takes effort and commitment.

There are times when life gets in the way but with home study, your chosen course – and the work you need to complete for it – can ebb and flow with your family, work and other commitments. There are times when your study will need to take priority but there are times when other things will need to.

Making changes can be tough but, with planning and commitment, you can do it – and start enjoying a new career!

We’ve just released our Principles of Management Certificate Level 3 RQF course.

 

We’d like to introduce our new course, which is available to study now on NCC Home Learning: Principles of Management Certificate Level 3 RQF.

This qualification will aim to provide you with the knowledge you need to work in a management role, and is available to anyone who is looking to improve their management skills, and looking to do so by working at their own pace, from their own home.

As with all our courses, when you sign-up to the Principles of Management Certificate Level 3 course, you’ll have your own dedicated tutor who will guide you through your coursework and answer any questions you may have during the course. Additionally our help desk will provide you with any practical advice by email

You have the freedom to start the course at any time, and continue your studies for a period of up to 12 months from initial registration with full tutor support.

For all the details, head over to our dedicated course page.

ASD and autism are general terms for what can be a complex disorder that relates to brain development.

 

Autism spectrum disorder, also known as ASD and autism, are general terms for what can be a complex disorder that relates to brain development. An autistic child or adult will have difficulties in interacting socially, verbally, non-verbally as well as displaying repetitive behaviours. The extent that these affect an autistic person will vary from one person to the next.

The varying degrees in which these symptoms show themselves can make it harder to interact with a child that is autistic. For those teaching assistant, teachers and those working in the care profession, training by attending autism awareness courses, for example, can provide valuable insight and skills in managing behaviour and so on.

What is autism spectrum disorder? – Securing a diagnosis

Until recently, securing a diagnosis varied from one local authority or health board area to the next. Autism is measured via a spectrum, a scale of how ‘bad’ or not autism affects the child or adult. This moveable scale meant that some children were misdiagnosed, or not diagnosed at all.

In May 2013, a new way of diagnosing autism came into being. This diagnosis umbrella for the first time recognised under one label, rather than distinct sub-types such as Asperger syndrome and so on.

The way in which autism manifests itself tends to be related to intellectual disability, as well as difficulties in motor coordination, and the ability to pay attention for a close period. There are times when some autistic children and adults can excel, to almost genius proportions, in music, math, art and so on.

Modern-day understanding is far more than in previous times and although there has been no one cause pinpointed as being the root of autism, it is thought to have its roots in very early brain development.

This is why obvious signs of autism tend to emerge between the ages of two and three.

How common is autism?

It is thought that in the UK, 1 in every 100 children is on the autistic spectrum, around 100,000 children. Diagnosis and understanding are improving all the time; thus, it may be that in coming years, this figure increases.

It is not a disorder that comes from parents doing something wrong; neither is it ‘naughty child’ syndrome. Currently, more boys than girls are diagnosed with autism – four times as many in fact. This is not because it is more prevalent in boys but more that girls are thought to exhibit autism in different ways. It may be too that we accept some of these behaviour patterns in the girl child, more than we do boys as a society, parents and so on, feel that these behaviours are more in line with their gender.

What are autism spectrum disorders and its causes?

Until recently, the answer would have been ‘no idea’. However, research is beginning to deliver some answers:

  • There is no one cause of autism, as there is no one type of autism
  • Mutations of some key genes have been discovered that are sufficient enough to give rise to autism but more work is needed to be able to use this information to prevent and treat autism effectively
  • Autism also seems to be influenced by environmental factors too on the early development of the brain

These environmental factors are related to before pregnancy, during and after the birth. Common denominators include parents being older, illness during pregnancy, shortage of oxygen during the birth itself and so on. However, these factors are not the sole reason for autism but are more likely contributory factors in a complex situation that we currently do not fully understand.

Being on the spectrum

Every child or adult who is autistic is unique. Some have exceptional abilities, but may struggle to communicate verbally or pick up on non-verbal language. Attempting to categorise everyone the same is not helpful in determining treatment, nor in how to manage certain behaviours and so on.

In some ways, securing a diagnosis can be a relief for many parents. Understanding it and how to deal with a child who may struggle to fit in is something that many people feel they need support with. Autism is not a label for naughty children, neither does it mean that a child is ‘thick’. Some autistic children will be considered to have additional learning needs, but other autistic children, with support, can thrive and function well in main stream education.

The complexity of autism means that information and training are key, and not just for the parents of autistic children. Teachers, teaching assistants, support staff and so on can all benefit from autism awareness courses. Raising acceptance, respect and support for people with autism are important and has helped enormously those people living with autism.

It is scary how many of us can only trace our family tree back a few generations.

It is scary how many of us can only trace our family tree back a few generations. Go beyond your great grandparents and you’ll often begin to struggle as: marriages, name changes, loss of documents (birth, marriage and death certificates), and simply loss of memories make it difficult to trace your roots.

Fortunately, there are now a number of ways to find your family tree, and discover where you come from, why you are the way you are and where you inherited certain traits from.

What Is Genealogy & How Is It Relevant To Family Trees

Genealogy dates back to Ancient Greece, with a name that roughly translates to ‘birth’ and ‘science’. Essentially, genealogy is the science of your birth, with the involvement of finding out more about your ancestors and where you come from. Genealogists looks at your ethnic, social and geographical history. There are a few different types of genealogy that you can explore, including:

  • Ascending genealogyThe idea of ascending genealogy is that it is designed to search for and look into the ancestors of a person.
  • Descending genealogyThis form of genealogy will look at the descendants of a person.
  • Estate genealogyThis particular form of genealogy will need to be carried out by a professional in the field and is usually at the request of someone who is a notary during a succession.
  • Agnatic genealogyThis type of genealogy will look at the male ancestry of a person.
  • Cognitive genealogyIf you carry out this particular genealogy then it will look at both ascendants and descendants even if they do not have the same name.

Genealogy can be incredibly interesting to learn about and then do. Especially if you are keen to see exactly where you have come from. And, although you can approach this in many ways, the two most popular approaches are by searching for your surname or taking DNA tests. Genealogy has risen in popularity over recent years. In fact, it is thought that more than 26 million people have taken an at home ancestry tests (such as DNA tests).

Are you interested in learning more about your family tree? Here’s how to go about it!

Step One: Independent Research

Before you can even consider any of the following steps, you will first need to conduct your own research, and the best place to start is at home with your family (parents, siblings, grandparents etc.).
In fact, you’ll be surprised by how many of your relatives have kept documents about their parents and extended family – so reach out and see if they have kept any paperwork, photographs or even news articles (war stories, obituaries etc.) on their family.

The most important ones you’ll need to begin with are birth, marriage and death certificates. From these you should be able to trace their life as well as find out about their jobs, education and children when you visit an archive.
For the most accurate results we recommend visiting the National Archives website. This is a government website that retains birth, marriage and death certificates for individuals across England and Wales. To use, you simply need to input the following information:

  • A person’s name (and the names of their parents, partner and next of kin)
  • Their approximate date of birth, marriage or death
  • The districts where they were born, got married or died in

From here, you should be able to trace the lives of your relatives and start structuring your family tree.

NOTE: The amount of detail you go into here will depend on whether you are focusing on direct family within your bloodline or whether you plan to explore your extended family as well.

Step Two: Register with a Website

Go online and you’ll find numerous websites dedicated to helping you find your family tree. Simply register and put in as much information as you can about your family, and they can help you to start tracing your roots and uncover hidden relatives.

Naturally, it is best to do some independent research first, and gather as many details as you can on: births, deaths, marriages, names, children, where they lived, jobs and extended family. Once equipped with this information you can begin entering your details and go further into your past.

Top websites include: Ancestry, My Heritage, Links Genealogy, Find My Past, Genes Reunited and Family Search.

Step Three: Register for a Course

Unless you are a keen researcher and know where to look, the first two steps can prove quite time-consuming when trying to find your family tree. Hours can be lost simply from following false leads and information.

Yet there is another way, especially if want to delve deep into your past or turn this search into a hobby – courses.

We offer a dedicated Genealogy course that can easily assist you in your search for your family tree:

Genealogy Diploma

Our Level 3 diploma can help you to successfully trace your ancestry with no prior knowledge about your family’s history. Working on basis that you know little to nothing about your past; our diploma will guide you every step of the way as you fulfil this basic need to understand your origins and ultimately understand yourself.
This course has been designed with the sole intention of enabling you to uncover the truth about your ancestors and their stories, whilst learning about how they looked, dressed, behaved and lived their lives.

In turn, this course is invaluable to anyone with a keen interest in genealogy and whom might even want to explore a career in this field. Designed to provide you with an assortment of tools, techniques and skills to advance your research; with our diploma you’ll be able to go back hundreds of years into your family tree and increase your chances of completing steps one and two.

How to find your family tree

As you can see, unlocking the truth to your past can be fun, exciting and even turn into a promising career prospect. Simply employ the top 3 steps and soon you too can become immersed in your family’s history, lives and stories.
It is just a question of how far back you want to go.

Click here to find out more about our Genealogy Diploma.

The beauty therapy industry is growing fast, it’s no surprise that more people are looking to tap into this industry. But what is the average beauty therapist salary?

The beauty therapy industry in the UK is growing fast. Worth around £17 billion and employing over a million people, it is no surprise that more people are looking to tap into this lucrative industry. With all kinds of beauty therapy courses on offer, it can be easy to become confused about which is the right course and at one point you can start to practice safely as a beauty therapist.

There is also a lot of conflicting information regarding a beauty therapist salary too; some people will tell the earning potential is limitless, whereas other will tell you it is low paid. Here’s everything you need to know about becoming a beauty therapist, including the must-know figures on a beauty therapist salary.

Why is beauty therapy on the rise?

Grooming is a basic human need. Looking and feeling good about ourselves is something that is important to everyone on some level. Being clean, with a pleasant smell and nice looking skin, etc. all form a human need, as can be seen in Maslow’s Hierarchy. High up on the lists of needs is self-esteem; how we look and feel about ourselves is an underpinning factor.
Thus, more people are turning to professional beauty therapists for pampering, as well as for specific therapies and treatments.

Are you cut out to be a beauty therapist?

As a beauty therapist, you will carry out all kinds of facial and body treatments for you clients. You will need to be open and friendly, as well as a good listener. You will also need to deliver treatments in a way that make the client feel relaxed and confident in your ability.
You will be using various treatments and products, some of which will contain chemicals and so it is vital that before you start practicing as a beauty therapist that you undergo formal training.

Working hours and conditions

In effect, beauty therapy in a high street salon tends to be a 9 to 5 role, with the possibility of Saturday work too. However, more salons and clinics are realising that they need to extend their opening hours, and so there may be times when you finish at 7 or 8 pm some evenings.
All beauty salons and clinics operate differently Thus, when you apply for a vacancy, you should check the hours of work.
Regarding venues for work, there are all kinds of places you will find salons; from the high street to a clinic being part of a hotel chain, on cruise ships, gyms and so on.

A beauty therapist salary

Again, this will vary but in a high street beauty salon, most therapists will earn between £12,000 and £17,000 a year. This may increase in some capital cities. Salon managers can make around £20,000.

This is a basic figure, to give you an idea of what you could earn but, there are ways that you can boost your income:

  • In some salons, therapists are paid a commission on products that they sell
  • As you become more experienced, you may find your salary increases incrementally

But, to really boost your beauty therapist salary, we recommend that you regularly look to update and specialise in certain beauty treatments. Brands and manufacturers are always increasing their range of products and treatment, and by training in a specialist area, you could significantly boost your income.

Start your own business

There is scope for anyone with all the relevant qualifications to start their own business. Although there are no guarantees of success, the fact that the beauty industry is growing at a steady rate each year highlights there is a growing demand for beauty therapy treatments.
Some people go on to open their salon or clinic, whereas others offer their services on a mobile basis. Effectively, they will visit clients in their home. There is also scope for therapists to offer their services to the care sector too.
Clearly, the financial reward from this can be significantly higher than working for someone else, but you will also need to ensure paperwork is completed, tax paid, products order, promotional campaigns and so on.

The importance of qualifications

Being qualified is essential but making sure that the initial qualification you study is recognised and accredited across the industry is important too. As a minimum, you should be looking at a level 2 Diploma in Beauty Therapy and then look to either increase the level of the diploma, or look at specialist courses.

You may also need to arrange professional liability insurance if you decide to become self-employed and run your own beauty therapy business.

How to market yourself as a beauty therapist

a beauty therapist working on skincare for a client

Beauty therapy may be a very in-demand career and landing a job in the industry may seem easy. But just because there is a supposed ready market for your services doesn’t mean that you don’t need to market yourself. To ensure a steady supply of customers, new and repeated custom, you need to ensure you let people know who you are, what you do and how they can contact you. Here are the best ways to market yourself as a beauty therapist for repeated custom:

Decide on a strong USP

Also known as USP, your unique selling point is the answer to why people should contact you as opposed to calling another masseuse or beauty therapist. It may be that you are qualified in certain specialist areas or have the cheapest prices in town. No matter what it is, you need to identify your USP and use this as a means of attracting customers.

Look the part

You may have heard of brand and brand awareness, but assumed this applies to big name designers and retailers only. But you would be wrong. In its simplest sense, a brand is about image and impression. This means asking yourself what image and impression do you want to portray?

You only have to look on the high street for an idea of the various brands and impressions they create. Also, the surge in cheaper retailers, such as the pound shops, show that customers love a bargain. As a consumer you may approach a different retailer for a different product, for example, if you want quality, value for money and a superior product.

Which part of the market will you dominate? And what impression do you need to create to win custom in this area? This means creating a brand that uses the right colours, logo and font, all of which combine to create brand awareness around you and the services you offer.

Know who your customers are

Before you start designing leaflets or investing in a website, you need to be clear who you are aiming your services at. In other words, who are your customers?

Are your customers middle class women over the age of 40, for example? Or maybe you want to work within the field of sports, offering massages to sports people and athletes?

Knowing who your customers are mean you can aim your advertising and promotional activities in the right places, as well as create the right tone and feel to your brand.

Offline marketing

Offline marketing is using advertising tools and mechanisms that we traditionally associated with marketing. Although we live in a digital age, there is still value to leaflets, business cards, price lists, newspaper adverts, local radio adverts and so on. However, whilst having 500 leaflets printed with a special offer is a great move, it only becomes an outstanding marketing move if you have a strategy for distributing leaflets – and this goes for all your other printed materials too.

Top tip – when designing adverts and leaflets, always keep the tone, colours, logo and font the same throughout. This helps to create a recognisable branding for your business.

Online marketing

Social media is a vibrant platform on which you can grow your business both organically (that is, natural growth as more people discover you) and through paid adverts too. However, just like offline marketing, you need to know who your customers are and where they are likely to be hanging out online.

If you are creating a website, you will need to ensure that search engines can find it, so that when people search for your services, your website pops up on page 1. You also need to be consistent with your online presence, which can be difficult when you are growing a business, dealing with customers and updating your social media profile.

Studying an online beauty course will have a certain element of how to market yourself successfully to bring in clients, but it pays to have a strategy on how you will grow your business.

Read more with our guide to different marketing types

Exploit readymade opportunities

As a new business, you don’t necessarily have to reinvent the marketing wheel. For many customers seeking a beauty therapist or masseuse, they want to know that you offer a high-quality service and can be trusted. For many customers, this comes from associating your services with an already established ‘name’ in the business. This is why many new beauty therapists start out hiring a chair or space in an established salon.

This is a form of collaborative marketing and works for the salon and for your business too! As your reputation for offering excellence every time becomes known, your business will flourish.

Becoming A Beauty Therapist

Being a beauty therapist can be an incredibly rewarding career, especially when you know you’re getting the right beauty therapist salary. Do you have what it takes?

If you think you do, have a look through all of our online beauty courses and don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

Introducing Our Social, Emotional & Behavioural Difficulties course

 

We’re really excited to announce the availability of a new course – introducing our Social, Emotional & Behavioural Difficulties (SED) course.

This course has been written for everyone who is interested in social, emotional and behavioural difficulties within education, and in particular, those working in education or parents with children with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties.

The Ofsted review of SEN and disability (Ofsted, 2010) highlighted that schools classify a wide range of pupils as having SEN. These findings encompassed those whose needs could be met through good quality teaching to those with complex and severe needs requiring significant additional support.

Further investigation of a range of schools by Ofsted found that many children not assessed as having special needs acted no differently from those assessed as having SEN.

This course aims to provide learners with the necessary skills to identify children with Social, Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties and how to provide support to these children.

Click here to take a look at our dedicated course page.

If you require any additional information our course advisers can provide you with further information or answer any specific questions you may have. They can be contacted by telephone on 0800 970 2522 or via email at [email protected].

What will the Valentine gift be for your loved one this year?

 

What will the Valentine gift be for your loved one this year? An over-priced box of chocolates? Or an expensive meal at an upmarket restaurant, perhaps. Or, you may opt for a large bouquet of red roses that on all other days of the year would cost you half as much.

The gift of learning

Whilst we don’t want to come across as mean-spirited nor appreciative of loved ones, there is another possibility. There are times when a present should truly be a gift – and this is exactly what home learning courses are, given with love from you to your partner.

Learning is no longer only available in the classroom on a Monday to Friday, 9 till 3 basis. It happens all the time…

The chap on the bus reading a chapter from a textbook as part of his home learning course.

The lady who served you in the supermarket will go home after her shift and spend an hour studying for an A Level in Psychology. She intends to go on and complete a degree in the same subject.

The teaching assistant who helps your child at school is studying for a specialist qualification in au-tism so that she is better placed to understand the needs of students. She completes her study on a weekend.

The list could go on and on, with examples of all kinds of people from all walks of life studying vari-ous courses because they want to, they have a passion for the subject or as a means of applying for better or different jobs. Learning changes people – and for the better.

So this Valentine’s day, why not see if the gift of learning will be something you would buy your loved one?

The benefits of home learning courses

Level of qualification
All qualifications are given a level; for example, as in the graphic, GCSEs grade A to C are considered level 2 qualifications. A level is the next step up and so on.

Getting the right level to start with can make a huge difference to how well received the course is. For example, for someone ‘dipping their toe’ into a subject, starting with level 2 courses can be a great help in deciding if this is what they want to do.

At one time, the only way to progress using this learning ladder was to take each step at a time. In some academic institutions and for some career options, this is still the case. However, with home learning courses, you can choose to study at any level with very few, if any, pre-requisite qualifications needed.

Range of courses
We have hundreds of home learning courses available. From nail art to psychology, from autism awareness to maths, we have a course that is suitable.

It can be helpful to split the courses into two broad categories as you consider which course would make the best Valentine’s gift: vocational or career related courses can be an important spring-board from one role or career into another.

Interest courses are another category which includes all kinds of courses that many people find interesting or are passionate about. Learning does not always have to mean a bigger pay packet or more responsibility. Qualifications and learning can be about widening and broadening horizons in subject matters that people find fascinating and stimulating.

Learning format – online or paper?
How you or your partner chooses to learn depends entirely on you. You can opt for online materials, or you may a prefer paper-based course. Neither is more advantageous than the other, as it is your own preference.

A home-based learner will also complete their studies at a time and a place that suits them. This could be in an evening, at home or maybe spending an hour or two in their local library or internet café.

It may mean reading a textbook on the bus, or securing work experience to back up studies in a local school or volunteering at a local charity.

Flexible payment
There is no doubt that any qualification in any subject area is an investment. Studying and learning enriches life, opening doors to new and exciting opportunities.

With flexible payment options, such as paying monthly, studying for a qualification is not as expen-sive, nor as debt-ridden as you may believe. You carry on working as you study and so your lifestyle does not need to suffer either.

This Valentine’s day why not give the gift of learning? Qualifications never go out of date – but chocolates do.