South Eastern Regional College students Gear Up for Five Star Treatments

Level 3 Spa Therapy students at South Eastern Regional College (SERC) got the full treatment about working in a five-star spa environment when leading professionals called into the College to give an insight to the growing spa sector.   The students in turn showcased their newly refurbished facilities as the College gears up to offer higher level programmes to meet demand for suitably qualified professionals.

Eunice Kerr, Deputy Head of School for Beauty/Spa Therapy said, “We were delighted to welcome Cathryn O’Neill, Slieve Donard Spa Manager, Niamh Rice, Culloden Spa Manager and Sioux Lees, ESPA International Business Manager, to SERC to share their knowledge, experience and insight into successful Spas, market and service trends.

“Our students are preparing themselves for work in a growing industry, so it is vital that they know exactly what is expected from potential employers when they come to compete for jobs and the range of opportunities that are open to them with this specialist qualification.

She added, “We are preparing to offer new higher-level qualifications so there has been significant investment in our Beauty Therapy and Spa facilities at SERC Downpatrick with refurbishment of treatment areas and the installation of a state-of-the-art Amentio floatation and treatment bed. This means our upskilled team can teach students the latest spa therapies in preparation for employment.   Students can hone their skills, not only in the treatments but essential interpersonal and communication skills, at our DeCourcy salon where we offer competitively priced treatments to the public whist students are in training.   Our students leave us, not only with qualifications, but with real industry experience.”

Cathryn O’Neill, Spa Manager of the Slieve Donard Resort said “We value the opportunity to work with SERC and share our knowledge about the Spa sector.   It is important that we have suitably qualified people with the skills and experience ready for employment in the sector.

She added, “Our clients are from across the country and around the world and the expectation, which Hastings Group pride on delivering, is five-star treatment for every client and guest. This is possible because of the well trained and qualified people that come through to us thanks to SERC.”

South Eastern Regional College are hosting a full-time open evening 4.00pm – 7.00pm on Wednesday 13 November at Bangor, Downpatrick, Lisburn and Newtownards Campuses.