New Developments at CIDESCO

CIDESCO has long been regarded as the leading international qualification in beauty therapy. Having been defining professional standards within the industry since 1946, the ethos of CIDESCO is that training programs should not be about delivering competence but rather dedicated to producing excellence. CIDESCO graduates are highly sought after by employers due to the high calibre of training undertaken to achieve the prestigious accolade. With a CIDESCO qualification, the world is your oyster.

CIDESCO, whose headquarters are in Zurich, Switzerland, has watched both industry and educational developments over the last decade. Internationally, the spa industry has become an enormous entity, with $99 billion in revenue in 2015 with a forecast of 5% growth until 2021. There are over 120,000 spas worldwide, with that number continuously growing.

Another area of tremendous growth is media makeup. Driven by social 
media such as You Tube, Instagram and beauty vloggers, the cosmetics industry hit an all-time high profit of $62 billion in 2016. To accommodate potential students who wish to pursue careers in spa or makeup industries, CIDESCO, through their international education committee consisting of leading industry professionals, has developed three new diploma qualifications: Spa Therapy, Beauty and Spa Management and Media Makeup.

This has been an exciting year for CIDESCO educationally. In March it 
was announced that the CIDESCO beauty therapy diploma is now 
recognised on the Scottish Qualification framework. This has a knock-on 
effect here in Ireland, with CIDESCO now being recognised as a Level 6 
qualification. This has a positive impact for prospective students who wish to seek educational funding whilst studying. The year 2018 has also seen 
the introduction of CIDESCO's new certificates. Education and study practices have changed from the traditional model of long courses 
towards modular, shorter-term courses. People want to study at a pace that suits them, their family commitments and their pocket. 

Recognising this shift in educational demands, CIDESCO launched three 
individual certificates: Skincare, Aesthetics and Body Therapy. This allows potential CIDESCO students more flexibility in what and when they study. 

• Skincare comprises of skincare and eye treatments, electricaltreatments, makeup and waxing. A minimum of 730 training hours is required. 
• Aesthetics comprises of skincare and eye treatments, electrical treatments, makeup, waxing along with manicure and pedicure. A minimum of 800 training hoursis required. 
• Body Therapy comprises of body massage, electrotherapy, exfoliation, body masks and wraps. A minimum of 565 training hours is required.

All three certificates include anatomy and physiology, dermatology, cosmetic science, nutrition, hygiene, business and retail. As with all CIDESCO qualifications, client contact sessions are an essential part of the training. CIDESCO firmly believes that without the invaluable experience and learning gained from working with clients, you cannot be a well-rounded, competent and confident therapist. For extra confidence in your abilities as a therapist, case histories are undertaken where you witness for yourself how your treatments are benefitting your clients' specific concerns.

Another growing trend is therapists looking to upskill and develop their 
knowledge further. With the emergence of an increasingly competitive skills market, employers want the besttrained therapists for their business. CIDESCO graduates stand out from the crowd. CIDESCO offer postgraduate diplomas in beauty therapy and spa therapy. Qualified therapists with two years of employment can complete a tailored refresher course in a CIDESCO accredited school prior to examinations.

Regardless of your circumstances, there is a CIDESCO qualification that 
suits you, to help you reach your potential. 

“The secret of joy in work is contained in one word – excellence. To know how to do something well is to enjoy it” – PS Buck

Kate Jordan is the Education Director of CIDESCO Ireland. For more information contact CIDESCO Section Ireland at:Email: info@cidesco.ie 

Web: www.cidescoireland.ie 
Facebook: www.facebook.com/CIDESCOIreland