Funding a body massage training course

svenvanhorn

Hi Guys,

I'm hoping the MSE Forum Brains trust will be able to help me out with this little pickle of a current problem I have.

I have been on an introduction to body massage course with view to pursuing it as a career and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The next course at the college I went to starts on the 17th of April.

The total course cost is £1860. I have £1000 to put towards the cost but am £860 shy of the total needed.

Ideally I would have like to get a career development loan but sadly my college isn't currently on the approved list that skills agency holds and that getting on the list could take longer than the April 17th start date.

I currently have 2 small part time jobs. One delivering charity bags door to door. and another cleaning a warehouse 1 hour a day so a personal loan from the banks seems unobtainable at the moment.

My bank (santander) offered me a credit card the other week when I went into the bank and I have thought of paying the rest using a o% on purchases for 12 months credit card that are advertised on this site.

It's feel it is a bit late in applying for grants with only a month to go.

I've been on the Citizens Advice Bureau website and the new 'ask ma' website but I couldn't find any extra information that may help on either. Maybe I was looking in the wrong places?

If anyone has any advice or suggestions it would be greatly appreciated.

I look forward to your responses.

Justicia

Welcome to MSE

Saintjammyswine will probably see this when next online, to advise on any FE-orientated funding options

saintjammyswine

Infamy, infamy. They've all got it infamy.

Thanks for the shout Justicia.

Quick question first OP what other qualifications do you have?

If you dont already have a full level 2 (5 GCSEs A-C, NVQ2) or above you could get ESF Workplace Learning funding (assuming the course meets the criteria).

There is usually funding available for most situations, not all though so it is worth asking the questions. Could you also confirm your age and how many hours a week you work, that will help.

bubblegum1985

What course are you doing?!

I did a body massage course which cost £250 and I am fully qualified and insured to work on members of the public. It was a VTCT course at a local college.

Why are you needing to spend so much money?

To get a job in body massage you need experience and techniques I have learnt a lot from you tube ie no hand massage and I looked into aromatherapy but got advice and was told company's blend their own which are just as good.

bubblegum1985

Also what qualification are you getting at the end?

svenvanhorn

Hey guys,

thanks for your interest in helping me. I'm 32 years old, I have a Bachelors Degree and currently work between 12 and 22 hours per week depending on work available.

There are local college run courses starting in september for around £300-350 pounds and then I qualify next year.

Reasons I am considering this current course is that I can be qualified by September and start increasing my earning potential. Typical rates in Sussex for massages are a minimum £30 for half hour and £50 pounds for an hour.

Currently living with my parents and intend to move out with my girlfriend this year so whilst money saving if i start in september at local colleges I can improve the quality of my life much quicker if I undertake this course starting in april.

The guy running the course is also amazing and has been recommended to me by my sister who also trained with him. Like in many walks of life there are good teachers and bad teachers. Having the qualification to teach doesn't always mean you are a good teacher. So once again, quality of teaching is also of the upmost importance to me.

Looking forward to your feedback and suggestions. Thank you for your help so far. Much appreciated.

saintjammyswine

OK sadly the degree will preclude you from the funding I mentioned before (it is for people with lower qualifications to help secure employment). I think that it may be worth contacting National Careers Service who provide free advice on training and career development. If the course is through a local FE College there will be more options for funding and will probably be able to put a payment plan in place, there are less options with a private training provider but as you have seen, they can be more responsive and offer courses at different times. Have you tried more than one college, if you are in the Sussex area there are many.

bubblegum1985

Have you contacted the local college? The one I went to did do separate courses that ran for about 3 weeks in the summer subject to demand where you can qualify quickly.

Have you thought about specialising? Sports massage would be a great way of developing a niche market and you can do this as well as a body massage course at most colleges.

I understand your reasons for wanting the qualification 'quickly' but please just think about it as £1800 is a lot of money to spend on a course that the college offers for £300.

paddyrg

Can you advertise your services as a 'trainee masseur' at 50% of the rate a qualified masseur would charge?

bubblegum1985

paddyrg wrote: »

Can you advertise your services as a 'trainee masseur' at 50% of the rate a qualified masseur would charge?

The OP wouldn't be able to get insurance and so if he were to hurt someone he would be sued big time, not advisable.