We all know the professional beauty therapy industry is experiencing a serious skills shortage. Education has never been more important for our industry. As a current or aspiring therapist, you can invest in further education knowing it will translate to employment opportunities. If you’re a salon manager? It could be time to talk to your staff about the benefits of upskilling.
With this in mind, we spoke to Candice Heskey from the Australasian College of Health and Wellness. Candice has extensive experience in the Clinical Aesthetics industry and it has informed her passion for relevant, premier qualifications. In her role as the Head of School for ACHW, Candice is responsible for the management, coordination, and development of higher education programs.
Below, Candice shared the education pathways available for those wishing to enter the beauty therapy industry or enhance their existing skills with further education.
About ACHW
The Australasian College of Health and Wellness came bout because we recognised there was a need for higher levels of education in the world of dermal therapy and aesthetics. ACHW was built by a team of experienced practitioners, so we know exactly what knowledge will help people to succeed in their careers. Our study combines the practical skills to meet industry needs with an unmatched level of scientific physiology and human skin biology.
What qualifications does ACHW offer?
ACHW offers two core degree programs: the Associate Degree in Applied Health Science (Dermal Therapy) and the Bachelor of Applied Health Science (Clinical Aesthetics). The latter is the most advanced Higher Education degree available in Australia for this field.
Our qualifications are designed to be accessible and valuable for experienced practitioners and newcomers to this field, and they offer the most comprehensive and science-based study for Health Science in the country. We also offer an articulation pathway, so students can begin with the Associate Degree and move directly into the Bachelor if they want to pursue the highest level of study.
What is it like to study at ACHW?
To match our balance of scientific theory and practical skills training, ACHW students complete their studies in a blend of online learning and face-to-face practical clinic blocks. Our students gain their understanding of theory through our online learning management system, which allows them to study whenever and wherever they like and make it easier to balance other priorities in life, such as work and family. The students also intend intensive practical clinic blocks to ensure they receive the necessary practical training with current therapeutic techniques and technologies to meet the industry needs. The clinic blocks are conducted in partnership with industry providers, such as ALMA Lasers where students learn how to use the latest advanced light-based technologies.
What kind of students typically enrol?
Our qualifications are designed to provide value to experienced beauty practitioners without higher education wanting to gain more scientific knowledge of aesthetics, as well as total newcomers to the industry. Our students cover a wide range of ages, experience levels, and locations around Australia.
What benefits are provided to students?
Beyond the premier education we provide, all our students receive a one-year membership with the Aesthetics Practitioners Advisory Network (APAN), which is Australia’s fastest-growing member-based organisation in the aesthetics industry.
They also receive what we call the ACHW Gold Card. This allows our students to receive a number of benefits, primarily support from a dedicated Academic Learning Advisor who helps them organise and balance their study and unlimited access to Short Course training from our partner the Australian Institute of Management (AIM). They are corporate training and education providers in such areas as business management and finance, so can provide great supplementary skills for our students who want to run their own businesses.
Who is part of the ACHW’s faculty?
ACHW’s faculty is made up of experts in Health, Wellness, Science, Education, Aesthetics, Business Administration and Digital Marketing. This ensures that our students gain a truly comprehensive learning experience that prepares them for all elements of working the Health Science field.
Our faculty consists of experienced industry professionals and subject matter experts. We have the only Professor in Aesthetic Sciences, Terry Everitt, who was awarded this title in 2019 to acknowledge his advanced expertise in the aesthetic training industry, which he has been dedicated to since 1990. Terry is also a published author in excess of 200 articles for aesthetic journals both in Australia and internationally.
ACHW’s facilitators have diverse qualifications, including PhD’s in Physiology, MBA’s and Graduate Certificates in specific aesthetic technologies. Every unit is taught by someone with the ideal body of knowledge.
To learn more about ACHW visit their website here.
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