How To Become a Nail Assessor
Following the first industries blog, we wanted to talk about nail technicians, and becoming a Nail Assessor. We tried to keep in the beauty industry for now, as there are many careers you can go into. There are many jobs that also cross over. So in this blog, we’re going to discuss becoming a nail tech. In this we’re going to go through:
- What is a nail technician
- Roles and responsibilities
- Treatments and specific services
- The qualifications needed
- Essential skills
- The working environment
- Becoming an assessor or teacher
- Further training
What are Nail Technicians?
Nail technicians are people who work within the beauty industry. They work on the client’s nails, either fingers or toes, to shape, paint and clean them for the client. Some of the technicians will specialise in areas such as nail extensions, and applying gel and acrylic nails. Technicians may also specialise in nail art designs. It depends on what you want to specialise in and what you can offer. You may specialise in toes, giving massages as well.
So now you know what a nail technician is, what kind of roles and responsibilities do they have?
Roles and responsibilities of a Nail Technician
The roles and responsibilities would depend on the experience, qualifications and what you can offer to your clients. The responsibilities would be different depending on your experience and skills, for example, if you’re a trainee nail technician. Your responsibilities would be different to someone who is a senior technician. Most techs would have these roles:
- Cleaning and shaping fingernails and toenails,
- Painting and colouring nails
- Removing old polish
- Offer nail care and treatment tips
- Sterilise equipment
For any specialist area, the roles could be:
- Designing and applying acrylic nails
- Applying gel nails,
- Design and apply silk nails
- Create nail designs
- Apply jewels
- And offer hand and foot massages.
Specific services
So when it comes to specialising, you can train in many different areas. Such as acrylic nails, nail art and design as well as massage. Other treatments could be manicures and pedicures. Additionally, you can train in hot wax and oil treatments. Alternatively, you could train in brow maintenance, however, we might touch on that one a bit later. Nail wraps are also something you can specialise in.
So do you need a qualification?
Qualifications and courses
For instance the aesthetician and medical aesthetician blog, there was a debate about the specific qualifications you need. That’s similar in this case, some salons won’t expect a formal qualification if you have a lot of experience. However, it’s seen as a good idea to have one. So to become a fully qualified nail technician it would be good to complete a Level 3 Diploma in Nail technology. Or you can complete at least a level 2 to show you do have certain skills and knowledge.
The level 3 Diploma in Nail Technology, would help you specialise in areas such as gel nails, acrylic nails as well as electric filing. Another way you can become a nail tech is by completing an apprenticeship. The apprenticeship will combine practical nail tech training with the academic study you need. Learners undergoing an apprenticeship will work alongside experienced staff to gain the industry-specific skills they need as well as receive a wage!
Essential skills?
So there are quite a few essential skills that a nail tech needs. Some of these range when looking at different websites, but we’ve compiled a list! Let’s get the list kicked off.
Concentration
This one may seem obvious but you’d be surprised. This is a big part of working within the beauty industry. You need to be precise in what you’re doing, so practice makes perfect! You’ll have to be able to concentrate for long periods of time, it’s essential that you can. As well to concentrate you have to have patience. You’re going to be doing the same kinds of tasks, like waiting for nails to dry. So you need to have some form of patience.
Customer service skills
Just like concentration, having customer skills seems obvious! Considering all of the beauty industry you’re providing someone with a service, you have to have the skills too. You need to be able to be polite, sociable, friendly, caring and a good listener. You need to be able to also build a rapport with regular customers as well as offer a professional service at all times.
Willingness to learn
It goes without saying that trends come and go, they’re there one day and then gone the next. You need to be able to move with the trends, not only within your industry but with other things as well, such as qualifications and technology. On another hand, this can be learning from others, as you may not know everything. Be open to learning from others, as well as taking your own mistakes and learning.
Organisational skills
This skill is extremely important, as you may have to deal with bookings and appointments. Having time management skills is also essential so you can deal with customers in a timely manner and give great service. You’ll need to handle quick decisions as well. So having decision skills is also useful.
Creativity
Being in the nail area of the beauty industry is a great way to be creative and it gives you an open avenue to be creative, more so than massage. Being creative is a definite skill to have, you can work on your creativity as well! Pinterest boards are always good, and a lot of people use YouTube to watch nail designs. There are multiple ways to explore creativity, it’s just finding the right way for you.
Steady hands
Having steady hands is also paramount to becoming a nail tech. It, however, can be learned. By practice! The more practice you have with your hands the better. You can have steadier hands in no time!
So what’s the working environment like?
Working environment
The working environment is different wherever you work. You can work in a salon, nail bar, spa, cruiseliners, department stores, or hair salons or you can even freelance! Wherever there is a need for you to do nails. Some clothing stores now have a ‘salon’ in the middle of the store, take Primark as an example! It’s only small but they offer a range of services. There are also opportunities to work within the fashion and magazine industries.
If you enjoy having structure then working within a salon or any beauty place that has shifts would be for you. If you prefer maybe having more time to yourself or going on your own, freelancing might be right for you. Or you can start up your own business!
Becoming an assessor?
Another working option that’s available is becoming a Nail Assessor. You’d be responsible for taking your apprentices through the qualification as a nail tech Assessor. You would assess learners while they undertake the qualification they need to become a nail tech. Education is important within the nail industry because you need to have certain skills and knowledge to be able to become a nail technician.
Assessing can also open more doors. You can start up your own training company specialising in nails. You can teach workshops and assessments. This can let you start to work your own hours and become your own boss. So what qualifications do you need?
Qualifications
So to become a fully qualified Nail Assessor you need to undertake the Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational achievement. This is necessary when you want to start to become an Assessor. Some employers may look for the IQA qualification. This is the Level 4 Award in the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice. A lot of employers will ask for the Level 3 Award in Education and Training as well, especially if you want to teach.
Typically from what we’ve seen, employers will want 2+ years of industry experience as well as some experience in teaching. However, the teaching number may vary. Gaining experience in your sector is one of the main things!
We hope this has brought more insight into how nail technician qualifications work! If it’s useful maybe share it with your friends. If you are one and want to become a nail assessor or a teacher then you’re in the right place! You can certainly give our team a call on 01205 805 155 and we would be happy to help answer any further questions you may have.