Do you have a passion for beauty, wellness, and the art of relaxation? Ever dream of a career that allows you to help people feel their best while indulging in luxurious spa treatments? Look no further than Vancouver Community College’s Esthetics & Spa Therapy Certificate Program! This comprehensive program combines theoretical knowledge with hands-on practical training to prepare you for an exciting career in the spa and wellness industry. Join VCC to unleash your creativity, sharpen your skills, and turn your passion for beauty into a fulfilling career.
About Vancouver Community College
Vancouver Community College (VCC) is a diverse and dynamic public community college in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The college, attended by over 15,000 local and international students, offers a range of programs, activities, extracurriculars, and student services to help students achieve their academic and personal goals.
VCC currently has two campuses located in Vancouver: the Downtown campus, which is located in the heart of the city’s vibrant downtown core and surrounded by shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues; and the Broadway campus, which is located in the trendy Mount Pleasant neighbourhood and known for its hip cafes, boutiques, and art galleries. Both campuses are centrally located and easily accessible by public transportation.
Today, VCC offers over 140 certificate, diploma, and degree programs in various fields, including business, health sciences, hospitality, trades, technology, and creative arts. The programs prepare students for the workforce or further education while honing their personal and social skills as individuals. With its state-of-the-art facilities, experienced faculty, and vibrant campus life, VCC is an excellent choice for students seeking a comprehensive college education.
The Esthetics & Spa Therapy Certificate Program
For those looking to get expert industry training in makeup, facial treatments, manicures, and anything beauty-related, VCC offers a highly sought-after Esthetics & Spa Therapy Certificate Program designed to prepare students for a career in the spa and wellness industry. The program aims to provide students with a comprehensive education covering both theoretical and practical components of esthetics and spa therapy.
Program Overview
The Esthetics & Spa Therapy Certificate Program is a full-time program that spans 10 months, with start dates in January, March, May, September and November.
- Tuition: $12,560 (2023)
- Credential: Certificate
- Hours: Full-time
- Delivery: Class-based
- Campus: Downtown location
*Note: This program must be completed within 2 years.
Curriculum & What You’ll Learn
The Esthetics & Spa Therapy Certificate Program has a comprehensive curriculum that covers all aspects of esthetics and spa therapy. The curriculum includes courses in anatomy and physiology, skin analysis and treatment, hair removal, makeup artistry and nail technology. In addition to treatments and artistry, students will learn to work under safety, hygiene and sanitation standards and regulations.
The program also includes courses in body treatments, such as hydrotherapy, aromatherapy, and body wraps. These courses teach students how to provide a range of spa services designed to promote relaxation, rejuvenation, and healing. The program will also train students to apply retail business management practices through courses focusing on spa management, professional practices, communication skills, customer service, and marketing. These courses will teach students how to manage a spa or salon and build a clientele for effective business operations.
The courses in the program are taught by highly experienced instructors, many of whom are licensed estheticians, spa therapists, and spa managers themselves. So, students can be confident that their instructors will bring a wealth of knowledge and real-world experience to the classroom and ensure that students receive the best education possible.
Practical Training
Practical training is a critical component of the program, and students have the opportunity to apply the skills and knowledge they have learned in a real-world setting. This means that students will be expected to participate in a supervised practicum that allows them to work in a real spa or salon and gain hands-on experience.
During the practicum, students will work with clients and perform a range of services. They will also assume the role of clients themselves, as well as therapists and spa coordinators to help their fellow students gain work experience. The goal of this practicum is to provide students with valuable experiences and help them build their confidence and skills for when they join the workforce.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the program can work as:
- Estheticians
- Spa therapists
- Makeup artists
- Nail technicians
- Cosmetician
- Beauty treatment operator
- Pedicurist
- Scalp treatment specialist
- Tattoo artist
- …and so on!
According to the Government of Canada’s Job Bank, the demand for skilled professionals in the spa and wellness industry is growing rapidly, with about 15,900 new job openings expected between 2019 and 2028. Graduates of the program are thus well-positioned to succeed in this creative and rewarding field.
Admission Requirements
Program-Specific
- English 10 or Academic IELTS 5.5 overall (no band less than 5.0) or TOEFL iBT 68 or equivalent
- Applicants who do not meet the program admission requirements may be admitted based on an interview with the Department leader or representative
General
- This program is available to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. See program options for international students at VCC International.
- Applicants who self-identify as Indigenous are strongly encouraged to connect with VCC’s Indigenous Education and Community Engagement team to learn more about VCC’s Indigenous Enrolment policy, application preparation/completion, program advising, and a range of other individualized services.
- Applicants must be 16 years of age or older or a graduate of a secondary school. (Some exceptions may apply.)
- Applicants must submit official transcripts and other documents as required by their course or program. Seats are offered to eligible applicants with completed applications in order of application completion date (except for programs with competitive admissions). A complete application includes an application form, evidence of educational prerequisites (e.g. transcripts), any required supporting documents (e.g. language proficiency, audition video), and the required deposit or fee payment. If you do not meet the requirements for the term applied, your application may be cancelled.
More information on Admission Requirements can be found here.
Estheticians and NOC 2021
With Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recently switching to the 2021 version of the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system, professionals working in esthetics, electrology, and related fields are now included among the 16 newly added occupations eligible for Express Entry under NOC 2021.
If you want to learn more about the NOC system? Please check here.
Sources: VCC: Esthetics and Spa Therapy, Job Bank
