As regulated qualifications are becoming more important many are worried that they will have to go back to college or spend more on education. This is not necessarily the case.
No education or experience is lost!!
The National Occupational Standards (NOS) exist for a reason
The NOS are the minimum amount of practical skills and knowledge to work as a professional in the chosen sector.
Accredited courses (should) be based on the NOS. Insurance underwriters base their policies on the NOS, all other authorities e.g., Environmental Health is guided by the NOS.
When choosing your courses, YOU should be guided by the NOS and if you were not taught some of the knowledge then you should be asking why not!
A simplified version of the NOS will be following this Blog so you can check if you have been taught what is required.
Not all regulated courses are the same
Each course depends on the quality of the teacher and there are far too many stories of some teachers being out of touch with current information and facts.
Regulated and accredited qualifications
The big difference between regulated qualifications and accredited is that students must prove they have the right knowledge and not just be given a manual to read and not tested. There is also an external quality control in place where a qualified person with no connection to the training establishment, regularly checks that this proof is being done properly. This doesn’t happen with accredited courses. no ongoing checks and there is often no testing of skills and knowledge.
You can upgrade your qualifications
Everyone can achieve an upgraded qualification to a regulated version very easily! This can mean cheaper insurance premiums as you can contact any insurer with a regulated qualification and get insurance and move underwriters as often as you like as they are all transferable and often accepted by many other European countries.
So, how easy is it to upgrade?
I would suggest you read the NOS to make sure you have all the right knowledge. If something is missing research and learn it.
NB NailKnowledge has almost all the necessary knowledge (except bones and muscles and systems of the body) It’s endorsed by Habia as it does conform to the NOS.
Arrange your assessment
If you can tick all those boxes, you can set about getting an assessment arranged. Louise Pheonix Searles ([email protected]) has a nationwide organisation that provides assessments and suitability of previous qualifications. It may be that a day or less on an assessment (a short practical for skills) and a written paper are enough for an upgrade. If it isn’t, advice will be given on what is missing and how to gain it. It may be just doing the NailKnowledge Course!
It can be as simple as that!
In conclusion
Don’t be scared by regulated qualifications. They are the nationally accepted standard that everyone working in the sector should have.
No education is lost, it all counts. It’s just that for some, it will need topping up. But I expect most of those are very aware of this already and they are not confident with clients and that they have gaps in their knowledge and understanding.
For a more detailed explanation on regulated qualifications vs accredited courses be sure to read this article.
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