Cleopatra Beauty Institute raises bar for spa therapists in UAE

Their unique training methods, coupled with highly qualified staff handpicked from across the globe, have played a key role in differentiating their graduates from the rest.

In keeping with this trend, the Institute has launched the International Vocational Qualification (IVQ) course, a specialized course that will train and assist spa therapists on site and bring them on par with the best in the business across the globe.

The IVQ course, which is a Work Based Learning qualification, will provide candidates with an International Qualification from City and Guilds, a highly respected UK examining body. This prestigious qualification is both commercially effective and highly advantageous for the student and as well as his or her prospective spa employer.

The unique course module involves the students being assessed in their place of work by an assessor from the Institute who will visit on a regular basis, meet with the student, observe practical assessment and provide feedback on their performance. This will ensure that the students gain invaluable work experience whilst simultaneously achieving their qualification goals. The students will also attend the Institute for a theory class once a month, which will include written and oral assessments.

Existing spa and wellness centers, hotels, day spas and salons that have highly experienced therapists without formal qualifications are set to be the biggest beneficiaries of the IVQ course.

"IVQ gives the therapists working in this region an opportunity to bring their qualifications up to the international level, which will reflect on the overall industry improving its standards,"

said Ms. Daniella Russell, Director of Wafi Health and Leisure, the parent company of Cleopatra Beauty Institute.

"In the UAE we are definitely reaching a point when internationally qualified staff will be "a must" criteria from the Government, and IVQ gives companies the perfect platform to invest in the future and in the existent staff. International spa education is crucial and investing in your people for educational purposes and bringing them on the higher level which gives them opportunity to grow within the organization is a mutually beneficial option for both employer and employee," she added.

The IVQ apprenticeship is a tried and trusted method that has been widely successful in the hairdressing industry for many years now, and is now being implemented into the Spa world thanks to CBI. This pioneering collaboration promises to raise the standards of practice and professionalism in the industry to a new level and will also help in bringing more highly motivated individuals that will recognize the dual benefit of working while they train. Cleopatra's Beauty Institute offers IVQ courses at level 1, 2 and 3 in Beauty Therapy. The courses run from September to July each year with the added benefit of gaining invaluable practical industry experience.