Prestigious Posts for Beauty Students

Students from South Eastern Regional College (SERC) have secured roles with some of Northern Ireland’s most prestigious beauty and wellness spas and clinics following completion of sought after qualifications.  

Students Jacinta Gourley, who moved from Kenya to settle in Newtownards, and Clare Robinson, from Bangor both completed the NVQ Level 2 in Beauty and progressed to the intensive one- year NVQ Level 3 in Beauty at SERC’s Bangor Campus.

Jacinta, who did O Levels in Kenya, previously worked in counselling and human resource management. The young woman who features in the College’s current advertising campaign said, “A billboard advertisement for a SERC open night caught my eye, so I came along to an open evening, and I was encouraged to enrol following the presentation given by the tutors. I really enjoyed the whole course experience - the knowledge and confidence I gained with the support of my tutors was superb.   The staff are very welcoming, friendly, caring and supportive and I have made life-time friends through the College.”

She added, “I am delighted to have secured a post with the five-star Culloden Estate and Spa, but the learning never stops, and I have enrolled to do a Level 3 in Reflexology and plan to upgrade my qualifications to Level 5.”

Asked about what advice she would give to someone thinking of coming to SERC she said, “Don’t think about it, just do it – you won’t regret it!”

Clare has secured employment with Bangor based Eclectic NI Wellness Clinic.   She said, “I am delighted to have secured the role with Eclectic NI Wellness.   I started out on the A Level route and went to university in England but following some mental ill health I wanted to return home but couldn’t transfer to a similar course through the local universities, so I took some time out to figure out what I wanted to do.   I thought enrolling on the part time NVQ would be a good hobby for me whilst I decided what to do with my life but I ended up loving the course so much decided to pursue a career in beauty therapy and wellness."

She added, “The kindness and compassion I received, from the moment I walked into the beauty department, was the reason I enrolled. I had a long journey to get to this point but I’m here now and I am incredibly grateful for the support I have been given and what I have achieved."

Speaking about the course Clare said, “I loved learning anatomy and physiology, essentially human biology, and the practical side of the course is a highlight - who doesn’t love a beauty treatment? The classes are smaller, and you get that one-to-one time with lecturers to ask questions, get help and support."

Clare, who plans to develop her skills with additional courses at SERC whilst she works concluded, “All of my lecturers have supported me, I never experienced that in school or in university. For me, SERC was a second chance and the people there made me believe in myself again. For that, I will always be eternally grateful.”

Fellow student, Laura Gardner, also from Bangor, who followed the NVQ Level 2 and Level 3 Beauty Therapy route has secured employment with Therapie Clinic, Belfast.

SERC Beauty Therapy Lecturer, Lynn Hamill-Fitzpatrick said, “We are delighted with the success of these young women.   They have been dedicated students, who have worked hard to develop their knowledge and hone their skills making them professionals ready for work in the beauty industry. It is testament to the high-quality teaching, excellent facilities and our reputation and links with industry that our students are securing roles with some of the most prestigious spas and clinics, often before they leave SERC.”