Published 6 Aug 2023
Free vs Paid Nail Technician Courses: The Difference Explained
Rebecca Fox 
Nail Technology
So, you want to be a nail technician.
You’ve got the artistic flair, attention to detail, and a love of working with people. You feel ready to begin an exciting career that could lead to self-employment, but you’re not quite sure where to start. You’ll obviously want to undertake some training, but should you splurge on a paid course, or enrol in a free one? To help you make the most informed decision, let’s explore the benefits and downfalls of both free and paid nail technology courses. That way, you can ensure you know what you’re signing up for and can make the best choice.
Free Nail Technology Course
THE BENEFITS
A free nail technician course can provide you with the knowledge of what it is to be involved in working as a nail technician, such as:
And many more.
A free course is a great place to start to gather all the information and basic knowledge about the industry you wish to enter. They are flexible in their study options with learning materials progressing as you do.
THE DOWNSIDES
The main drawback for free nail technician courses is that at the completion of these courses, you will most likely not receive a formal qualification or certificate.
Also, given the flexibility of online courses, the rate of learning entirely depends on the individual.
Paid Nail Technology Course
THE BENEFITS
Paid Nail technician courses offer a certificate or accompanying qualification on completion of the course. In this case, a standard qualification is SHB30315 Certificate III in Nail Technology.
The perks of this include:
Some paid courses will also teach you skills in starting and running your own salon, which is a great investment if you’ve got an entrepreneurial mindset. They will also explicitly teach industry required health and safety.
The desire to study and learn is more prominent when you pay for a course to get the most out of it, unlike a free online course.
Finally, if you choose to enrol in a paid nail technician course, the Australian government may offer discounts on course fees through funding or Student VET help loans for industry recognised courses.
THE DOWNSIDES
Since nail technician professionals with industry experience deliver these courses and provide ongoing support to students, they cost money to make. Therefore, the students are paying course fees for the quality of the course and the teachings that they receive.
Due to the structured learning program and ongoing feedback, paid nail technician courses usually run a set schedule or timeframe to teach the course material. These nail technician courses can take up to an average of 6 months or sometimes 12 months to complete, whether undertaken on a part-time or full-time basis. It can also depend on educational providers.
Why Study a Nail Technology Course?
Nail technicians have expertly honed skills in giving their clients aesthetic, high-quality nail services. For clients, getting their nails done the way they like is a fun and exciting experience – an affordable luxury to indulge in.
However, the difference between an expert nail technician and a poorly-trained one is blatantly evident, and can be instantly seen in the outcome of a client’s nails. The consequences of offering sub-par services to clients are extensive, and can range from unhappy clientele, an inability to find a job, and even severe, long-term damage to clients’ nails.
Undertaking a nail technology course is the best way to ensure you have the skills and knowledge to avoid these problems. These courses can teach you how to provide manicure and pedicure services, including the application of artificial nails, nail polish, nail art, gel nail and acrylic nail enhancements. A good course will also teach client consultation skills, and health and safety.
As a nail technician with the relevant training and skills, you’ll have a range of work options available to you, including in nail salons and self-employment.
So, if you want to make a name for yourself as a nail tech, what kind of course will give you the skills you need? This article highlights the pros and cons of free nail technician courses vs paid nail technician courses, so you can make the best decision.
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