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The author, Silvia Sanchez, graduated from the University of Alberta with a B.A. in Psychology and has over 15 years of experience in the career-consulting field.

beauty industry,beauty jobs,workplace bullying

Is Bullying affecting your Workplace?

Is Bullying affecting your Workplace?

Society has come along way in terms of acceptance and awareness. These are two different but equally important terms. Acceptance can be defined as a person’s agreement or approval to the reality of a situation without attempting to change it. Awareness is knowledge or perception of a situation or fact. Whether it be gender, race, religion, disabilities or sexual orientation, all people are entitled to equal rights and respect.

Bullying is a huge issue that is being recognized and addressed worldwide whether it be verbal, physical or cyber. There is a certain stigma that adults are not a target of bullying, maybe a preconceived notion that unless you are under the age of 18 you should be able to “brush off,” “get over” or “have thicker skin” towards unkind acts or words aimed at you.

The truth is there are no limitations or age requirements as to who is a victim of bullying. It is important to be able to recognize what bullying is and the negative effect it can have on the team and the business as a whole. If you see bullying in the workplace, it is your responsibility to do your part in contributing to a healthy workplace. Here are some tips from Alberta Learning Information Services on how to identify, address and resolve any bullying.

There are laws to protect employees from bullying. Take a look at our Employment Regulations Contact List to know different laws created for your protection.

EXECUTIVE SPA GROUP

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Beauty Industry Careers Overview

ESG beauty career consultants

Welcome to the Beauty Industry!

It’s an amazing thing when a career and passion come together! Here, we provide a brief description of different occupations in the beauty industry.

Remember, Beauty Professionals almost always work weekends! That is one thing in this industry that stays the same. All occupations should also expect to put in some evening shifts as these are usually the most popular appointment times.

Visit WORK AND PAY OF BEAUTY CAREERS for information on wages and compensation.

beauty industry careers

ESTHETICIAN

In Alberta, this is an unregulated occupation.

Full time school is useful for learning all aspects of the industry, however, it is up to the employer to determine their hiring standard.

Specialized courses are available as a alternate way to join the industry and take training specific to your career goals.

Entry level estheticians usually start with Waxing and Manicures and Pedicures- 2 staple services in spas.

lash technical careers

LASH TECHNICIAN

Lash Techs are not regulated in Alberta. Spas dedicated to Lash extensions is common industry-practice. These spas offer all types of Lash Extension services.

Courses range from weekend (2-3 days) to several weeks.

Certification enables you to buy product from specific distributors.

nail tech careers ESG

NAIL TECHNICIAN

In Alberta, this is an unregulated occupation. Spas dedicated to Nail services is common industry-practice. These spas offer manicures and pedicures and potentially a range in specialties (gel, acrylic, specialty nail art). Courses range from weekend (2-3 days) to several weeks.

Certification is required to purchase product from suppliers.

beauty career consulting

MEDICAL ESTHETICIAN

Medical Esthetics is an extension of esthetics. A medical esthetician should know all the basics of esthetics, especially skincare.

Because this is an unregulated occupation in Alberta, IPL and Laser equipment manufacturers offer short training courses when you purchase equipment, however, best practice is to have an esthetics background in order to understand the complexities of both, the equipment and the human body, and how these will intertwine when you administer a treatment.

beauty career consulting

MASSAGE THERAPIST

Unlike other provinces, Massage Therapy is a self-regulated industry in Alberta, meaning that Alberta has not regulated Massage Therapy and therefore schools are not required by law to include standard practices in their curriculums.

It is professional associations that dictate the future of massage therapy in Alberta for now, and currently, they are stating 2200 hours is the requirement for insurance billing. Courses range from 6 months to 20 months.

beauty industry career consulting

MAKEUP ARTIST

This occupation is not regulated in Alberta.

Freelance Makeup Artists are common in the Beauty industry.
Classes range from a few days to several weeks. Online certification is available.

INSTRUCTOR

Instructors can teach in a school or for a product line.
Experience in the industry is key.
Licensing may be necessary.
Ability to publicly speak and communicate knowledge to small or large groups is essential.

beauty careers

SALON/ SPA TECH

Responsible for the day-to-day functions in the salon/spa.
Ability to anticipate needs is an asset. Cleanliness and organization are crucial to this position.

Salon assistants can bridge into a Hairstyling Apprenticeship program.

beauty career consulting

SALON/SPA MANAGER

No certification is required, although having a occupational skill is an asset.
Good leadership, organizational, and communication skills are required
May be responsible for payroll.
Responsible for dealing with dissatisfied clients.

beauty industry careers

RETAILER

This occupation is not based on personal care and therefore is not regulated. Specific education not necessary, however, in-depth knowledge about products an asset and necessary.

Ability to communicate information and merchandising knowledge are assets.
Must be willing to meet targets/goals.

HAIRSTYLIST

This occupation is regulated by Alberta’s Apprenticeship and Industry Training Act
and Hairstylist Trade Regulation.

Two ways of becoming a Hairstylist:

  • Full time school
  • Apprenticeship

Barbering is not a separate trade and requires the same amount of education in order to receive a license.


Executive Spa Group

Beauty Industry Resource Centre
(780) 604 2772
info@executivespagroup.com

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Work and Pay of Beauty Careers

Work Schedules and Pay Structures of Beauty Careers

Beauty Careers have evolved and expanded to new heights in the last decade. Say good-bye to the days of Beauty Providers being limited in terms of scope of practice and services offered and say hello to staff with an army of various skills!

Trending now is continuing education and specialized training. Service providers are building their repertoires as fast as the ever growing industry is expanding. With that being said let’s take a closer look into what a career in Beauty Looks like and what can be expected:

Hours

First and foremost– Beauty Professionals almost always work weekends! That is one thing in this industry that stays the same. Employees should expect to put in some evening shifts as these are usually the most popular appointment times.

Evening and weekend appointments are usually the first to book up so the more availability you have during these times the busier and more successful you will be. Most employers in the Beauty Industry require staff to work a minimum of 2 evenings a week and at least one of the weekend days providing they are open both. Many establishments are closed Sunday and Monday with the exception of those located in a mall which are usually always open 7 days a week.

In the Beauty Industry, it is important to be available as much as possible for those in demand time-slots. For every 5+ hours worked an employee is entitled to a 30 minute break, this can be paid or un-paid at the discretion of the employer. This can also be split into 2, 15 minute breaks if agreed upon between the employer and employee.

Wages

With service providers becoming more educated and versatile, wages have become more competitive. The more skills an employee brings to the table as a service provider the more of an asset they are to a company. This growing trend of having a plethora of skills is wonderful but has made it hard to have an a definitive answer of what to expect financially.

Here is a general outline of what some Beauty Industry professionals are being paid but keep in mind these rates vary depending on the employee’s training and experience and will continue to do so as well as increase as their skill-set and experience grows:

Hairstylist- $15-$25 per hour
Esthetician- $14-$18 per hour
Medical Esthetician- $$16-$22 per hour
Make-up Artist-$15-22
Lash Technician/ Nail Technician-$15-$17
RMT-$30-$34 per hour

Keep in mind these are guidelines only. Most Employers offer a commission either instead of or in addition to hourly pay. A lot of Beauty employers offer 50% commission but are required to pay employees at least minimum wage if the commission is lower and they are expected to be available throughout the spa or salon’s hours of operation. A detailed commission agreement will clarify some questions regarding hours of work you are expected to be available.
Some places offer a 10-20% commission on services in addition to hourly pay. Almost all places offer 10-15% commission on retail sales, this encourages you to sell, sell, sell!

Additional Training

It is so important to stay fresh and up-to-date in this industry in order to thrive. This is where additional training comes in. Keeping yourself educated and trained in new technology and products/ services will boost your confidence and help you be successful which is a win-win situation for yourself and your employer as your clientele builds and products fly off the shelves.

Sunday and Monday are popular training days in the Beauty Industry, whether it is on location or elsewhere. Employees must be paid if these training sessions are deemed mandatory and the employee is entitled to overtime if applicable. If the training is less than 3 hours the 3 hour rule still applies.

Important things to Remember to Thrive

  • Stay Current
  • Be on Trend
  • Invest in additional Training
  • Ensure your company is Fresh and Exciting!

Executive Spa Group (ESG)
201, 10518 82 Ave. NW
Edmonton, AB.
(780) 604 2772
info@executivespagroup.com

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Tips on Reducing Staff Turnover

Tips on Reducing Staff Turnover

There’s 2 words to best describe the world we live in today, “more” and “better”. People are moving at such a fast pace these days, balancing their work life as well as trying to maintain a personal one! There’s always a new iphone launching, a newer version promising a “better” version of the last, with “more” features, apps and ways to stay connected. Personal connections and interactions have now been overtaken by online networking and communicating. People search for that better car, better house, better clothes…BETTER JOB. People strive for more money to obtain these better things and so it begins a constant cycle of striving for more to get better. How does this translate into careers today? Staff turnover. Staff turnover is inevitable but the ones who are affected the most by this are employers. This affects not only their business and pocket books, but most importantly the success of their establishment. There are ways for employers to decrease the turnover of their staff and lessen the chances of their employees looking for the next best job with the promises of more. Training, Appreciation and Recognition are going to attract staff and keep them as loyal and productive employees.

Provide Training

First of all it is important for employers to be the “more” that employees are seeking. Offer more services, beef up your service menu and offer the most cutting-edge on trend services. Provide training for all the services you are offering and advanced training as well to take your employees to the next level and make them the best educated staff around. Training can come in may different forms including product knowledge on retail lines, hands-on training for the services you offer or things like first aid and personal development workshops. When employees are educated they feel confident and appreciated. They feel they are worth their boss investing in them and believing in them and this in return helps to put that looking for better attitude at bay. Ask Executive Spa Group how you can access grants for staff training

Appreciate Your Staff

Appreciation comes in many forms and is unique to every employer/ employee relationship. There is no right or wrong way for an employer to show their staff how appreciated they are. Staff discounts for themselves and close family members, commission on product sales, bonuses when personal and professional goals are met and a positive, well stocked, beautifully maintained working environment and a simple “Thank You” are all some great examples of employee appreciation. This is by no means a one-sided relationship, when the employee feels appreciated they will in return work harder, more efficiently and most importantly happily! It is vital for employers to schedule some time to get to know their staff outside of work, this helps to maintain healthy workplace relationships and strengthens bonds between the employees as well. One of the biggest causes of staff turnover is conflict in the workplace. It is important to resolve conflicts before they spread and involve multiple team members. Communication is key!

Recognize Your Staff

Staff recognition is an integral key to minimizing staff turnover. There are very few people who don’t like a shout-out for a job well done or a compliment. It is important for employers to celebrate the wins and strengths of their employees. Some ways for employers to do this is verbal recognition to the employee themselves, or to any and all employees who have met their goals in staff email blasts, staff meetings or some type of recognition board. Employee spotlights or features in client email blasts as well as on the company website are an amazing way to make employees feel special and introduce them as well as their strengths to existing and potential clients. There is a saying that greatly refers to the topic of staff turnover; “The Grass Is Greener Where You Water It.” If an employer invests in their staff, helps nurture their skill, builds on their knowledge and makes them feel appreciated and empowered then that helps to quell the searching cycle. If an employer is giving the “more” experience and being the “better” option then there is no reason for staff to be looking elsewhere. The best thing for employers to remember is happy staff is staff that is not online looking for the next best employment opportunity. Training, Appreciation and Recognition are the gold standard for reducing staff turnover and keeping loyal, hardworking employees.

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Careers in Esthetics

esthetics schools edmonton
Careers in Esthetics

Esthetics Schools in Edmonton

Your career route is flexible, there are Esthetics schools in Edmonton that offer full time programs or module courses. Choosing a Full time Esthetics program will help you be well rounded Service Provider. Completing module courses can help you achieve your career goals as time and funds permit. Here are a few examples of what you can do with your beauty career:

Where Can Your Esthetics Career Take You?

Esthetician, Medical Esthetician, Make-Up Artist, Skin Care Specialist, Lash Technician, Nail Technician…these are just a few of examples of where a beauty career can take you.

In today’s fast paced world with ever changing trends and constant growth of the beauty industry, this is a career that will always be in demand. An Esthetics career offers versatility as a person and as an artist, and gives you the choice to pick your area of expertise.

Esthetician

Estheticians offer a wide variety of services including facials, manicures, pedicures, waxing, body treatments and relaxation massage. Schooling to be an esthetician can be completed in under 1 year and gives you the fundamentals of your future career including theory and practical components. This is your core foundation to build upon and gives you the knowledge and experience to begin your future.

You can choose to work in a spa or open your own business whether it be from home or renting space in an existing establishment.

Medical Esthetician

Medical estheticians have chosen to build upon their core studies as an esthetician and specialize in treatments such as laser hair removal, skin rejuvenation, microdermabrasion, advanced skin care and chemical peels. Advanced training can be obtained from Esthetics schools in Edmonton or you can be trained privately by your employer.

Your place of work can include medispas or a doctor/ dermatologist office.

Makeup Artist

Your beauty career as a makeup artist can prove to be the most versatile of them all. This is a great skill to have in addition to your esthetics certification or on its own. You can work as a freelance artist doing weddings and photoshoots, you can offer makeup services at a spa/ salon or work for a retail brand or company. You can also combine all of these options together to become a well-rounded artist and keep up on the latest trends (not to mention keep your kit stocked).

Some Esthetics schools in Edmonton offer advance training in Makeup Artistry focusing on television, film, high fashion, and creative makeup.

Other areas of expertise

These areas of expertise are specialized and can be added to your repertoire at any time during your career. Whether you are an esthetician looking to advance your education and service offerings or just wanting to learn and focus on one skill, these services are in demand and always on trend. Some of the most popular examples of specialized skills are nail technician, lash technician, microblading, dermaplaning and cosmetic tattooing.

These skills help you to stand out professionally as well as personally and give you the opportunity for optimum growth. These skills look great on a resume and help to make you highly employable and in demand.

Start Your Beauty Career Today!

What’s not to love about having a beauty career with so many avenues of growth?! The ability to customize and focus on the services that interest you and build on your strengths is empowering, the opportunity for advanced growth and education is endless. The beauty industry is one that will always be growing, always in style, and will always provide you with the opportunity to make a living loving what you do.

Talk to Executive Spa Group about esthetics schools in Edmonton, other training options, paying for your education, plus more!

Check out some of our online resources

Find beauty jobs in our job bank. In addition, find beauty educators in our TRAINING 411 Beauty Educator directory!

Executive Spa Group
Beauty Industry Career and Employment Centre
(780) 604 2772
executivespagroup.com

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Executive Spa Group

info@executivespagroup.com
(780) 604-2772
executivespagroup.com
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