The Beauty Course – Ballymun Youthreach
by Yvonne Murphy, Beauty Teacher
For some time now the Beauty Programmes offered in Ballymun Youthreach have been a very popular choice for both internal students and those coming from outside the centre. The Programmes available are an ideal stepping stone for those who wish to pursue a career within the Beauty Industry. We offer excellent opportunities in training to the highest standard for QQI Level 5 exams in both Cosmetic Studies and Make-Up Application.
Minimum entry requirements for the Beauty Course include a successful Leaving Certificate/Leaving Certificate Applied/Full FETAC Level 4 or equivalent standard of education. Students must be aged between 16 and 20 years of age and all entry is subject to interview.
The Beauty courses educate students in both the theoretical and practical side of work. The theoretical side of the programmes offer students a thorough understanding of anatomy and physiology, providing an in-depth knowledge of the main structures and functions of the human body, in addition to various areas such as customer care, business, professionalism and hygiene.
The practical side of the courses are ingrained in areas such as facials, make-up application, manicures, tinting and more. We enthusiastically promote in-house training in areas such as Swedish Massage, Spray Tan Application and Waxing. Gel or Acrylic accredited courses may also an option offered by professional companies on site. We work with the award winning skin care product Dermalogica.
Work placement in the industry is also an integral part of the year. This commences following completion of FETAC exams. Also a strong emphasis is placed on group projects and a fine example of this is the continuous success we have in the yearly Style-It Competition. On occasion we invite guest speakers in the industry to deliver an insight into the ever changing world of beauty.
One such guest speaker who recently visited the centre was our very own ex beauty student Tracey Salter. Tracey completed the beauty programmes with us in 2011 and successfully concluded the two year Beauty Therapy course in Crumlin College of Further Education. Following her time there she gained a contract on The Princess Cruise Ship working in a five star spa. Her duration with this company allowed her to travel the world visiting places such as Hawaii, Santorini, Brisbane and The Great Barrier Reef.
Tracey went on to work in Dunboyne Castle Seoid Spa and The Buff Day Spa on Grafton Street. She has recently completed her Teaching Diploma in Beauty Therapy and now working in Australia.
Hearing Tracey say, ‘My journey in the beauty industry has been very exciting so far and to think that it all started here.’ is a very inspirational and impressive statement. Our hope for all our students in Ballymun Youthreach is that they all find success and satisfaction in their chosen field. And to end up perhaps on a little Greek Island called Santorini might not be that bad after all!
