Certificate in Esthetics and Spa Therapy

at Vancouver Community College - Downtown Campus Canada

Students who graduate from the program will be able to: 

• Design, implement, maintain, and monitor a networked virtual environment using Windows and Linux operating systems
• Implement IT system security 
• Operate and maintain IT system performance and security
• Identify vulnerabilities of a computer network infrastructure
• Investigate cyber events and digital evidence and engage in computer forensic investigation
• Collect and evaluate cybersecurity information for operations planning
• Conduct tests and perform security and quality controls
• Assess physical and technical security risks/threats to data, software and hardware
• Develop policies, procedures and back up plans to minimize the effects of security breaches

Get expert industry training in facial treatments, manicure, pedicure, gel application, hair removal, makeup, and body massage while serving real clients at VCC's state-of-the-art salon and spa.

What you will learn
Upon successful completion of the Esthetics & Spa Therapy Certificate Program students will be able to:

• Practice skin and body therapies in accordance with safety, hygiene, and sanitation standards and regulations.
• Describe human anatomy, physiology and chemical composition specific to concerns relating to nail, skin, body, and hair removal treatments.
• Perform spa treatments based on client consultation, skin analysis and nutritional needs.
• Apply the principles of colour and design to lash, brow and specialized makeup techniques.
• Perform in an ethical and professional manner conducive to spa environments.
• Apply retail business administration practices and marketing techniques for operating a spa.

What to expect

• The Esthetics & Spa Therapy Certificate Program provides a wide range of student learning opportunities in the classroom, spa and workplace settings. Students will gain hands-on practical experience working with clients in the VCC Salon and Spa. Industry work experience provides students with additional opportunities to apply their knowledge and technical skills in a workplace setting. Classroom instruction is designed for students to develop theoretical knowledge and practical skills which will be applied for success in the VCC Salon and Spa.
• Participation is integral to the development of practical skills in this program; therefore, students assume the role of client, therapist and spa coordinator.
• Work practicum offers students spa industry work experience, opportunities to practice knowledge and skills learned at the college and potential for employment.

Advance your skills in network infrastructure, administration, support, and security for careers in computer information systems management and analysis.

What you will learn
Students who graduate from the program will be able to: 

• Plan, create, and implement computer network systems
• Work with clients and team members to provide desktop/server support
• Implement IT system and data security policies 
• Design, implement and maintain a full virtualization environment
• Engage in computer forensic investigation 
• Design, implement, maintain, and monitor a network using Windows and Linux operating systems. 
• Lead, manage, and direct small-to-medium scale IT projects
• Perform shell scripting or other basic scripting tasks
• Perform data backups and disaster recovery operations
• Operate master consoles to monitor the performance of computer systems and networks and to co-ordinate access and use of computer networks
• Evaluate and install computer hardware, networking software, operating system software and software applications
• Maintain, troubleshoot and administer the use of local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), wireless networks, mainframe networks, computer workstations, connections to the Internet and peripheral equipment

Advance your Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) and Building Information Modelling (BIM) skills for work in engineering firms, architecture firms, development companies, government, or private industry.

What you will learn
To obtain the CAD and BIM Technician diploma, students must complete Terms 2 and 3 (8 months) of a drafting specialty other than their original certificate. For program information, see:

• Architectural Technician Certificate
• Civil/Structural Technician Certificate
• Mechanical Engineering
• Steel Detailing Technician Certificate

CAD and BIM Technician diploma students also learn:

• Advanced methods in technical drafting software: AutoCAD, Autodesk Revit Structure, Autodesk Civil 3D, Autodesk Navisworks, and Tekla Structures
• Integrated Design Process (IDP)
• Waste reduction and efficiency
• Design team workflow and operations
• Design team collaboration and communication
• Integration of CAD models
• Communication and collaboration
• Personal reflection and critical thinking
• Portfolio development

Learn professional techniques for artisanal bread and fine pastry production from Canada’s top bakers in a fully equipped industrial kitchen.

What you will learn

• Health, sanitation, and safety
• Use of bakery equipment including scales, mixers, proofers, and ovens
• Knife skills
• Theoretical baking principles and processes
• Ingredients and methodology
• Biscuits and muffins
• Pie dough and straight dough
• Aeration and emulsification
• Cookies, pies, tarts
• Croissant, Danish, and puff dough lamination
• Cakes, cookies, sponges
• Buttercreams, glazes, ganaches
• Dessert plating and presentation
• Composition, use of colours and textures
• Pastries, slices, and squares
• Quickbreads and loaf cakes
• Deep-fat frying
• Yeast doughnuts, cake doughnuts, French crullers
• Fermentation, leavening, gluten development
• Wild yeast, sourdough starters, biga, poolish
• Hearth baking
• Grains and flours
• Shaping and molding
• Mixing and portioning
• Gluten-free baking and ingredients
• Meat and vegetable pies
• Sausage rolls, Cornish pasties, calzones
• Asian buns and tarts
• Pita breads and flatbreads
• Sandwiches
• Consistency and accuracy
• Environmental conditions
• Daily production planning
• Standard math functions
• Retail bakeshop management
• Professional etiquette and personal hygiene
• Troubleshooting and problem solving
• Ingredient and equipment suppliers
• Merchandising, inventory, and cost control
• Waste management
• Catering
• Effective communication

What to expect

• Eleven months of full-time study over four terms:    
  • Introduction to Baking
  • Applied Baking
  • Artisan Baking
  • Capstone
• Classes Monday to Friday 7 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. (subject to change)
• Purchase of textbooks and baking tools (available at the VCC Bookstore)
• Purchase of closed-top, non-slip footwear
• A fully operational kitchen and bakeshop environment
• Direct instruction
• Interactive instruction
• Demonstrations
• Problem-solving
• Cooperative learning
• Active participation
• Self-directed learning
• Three weeks of industry work experience
• Capstone project
• Opportunity to take exams for ITA Level 1 certification

Learn top strategies and processes for planning, executing, and monitoring projects in a Canadian business environment. Understand the difference between Agile and Waterfall project management, and know how to plan to get a PMI® Project Management Professional (PMP)®, Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)®, and other project management designations.

What you will learn
Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will be able to:

• Apply strategies and processes in initiating, planning, executing, monitoring and controlling, and closing projects.
• Manage risks to reduce project uncertainties.
• Demonstrate project management skills to optimize project outcomes.
• Adapt project management approaches to meet the specific needs of organizations.
• Apply strategies for managing stakeholders’ needs and expectations throughout the project lifecycle.
• Construct comprehensive project plans that address the goals and objectives of organizations.
• Apply critical thinking and problem-solving techniques to make sound business management decisions and recommendations.
• Implement effective communication plans to ensure project success.
• Utilize change management strategies to support project implementation.
•  Demonstrate ethical and professional behaviours as a project team member.
• Communicate and contribute as a project team member to the overall success of projects.
• Apply reflective practices to identify professional development opportunities and enhance lifelong learning.

Learn advanced design tools, theory, and processes used in graphic design for print and web while working directly with public clients in a mentored studio setting.

What you will learn

• Traditional design principles and processes
• Adobe Creative Cloud software, including Photoshop and Illustrator
• Colour theory and typographic principles
• Branding and visual identity design
• Packaging design
• Editorial design and print layout principles
• Web and UI/UX design
• Web development (HTML/CSS)
• Content management systems (CMS)
• Digital photography
• Writing, editing, and proofreading
• Client relationships and expectations
• Business and marketing principles

What to expect

• Mac-based computer labs with the latest software
• Access to drawing tablets, iPads, digital cameras, scanners, and colour printers
• Creative group exercises and discussions
• Field trips and guest lectures
• Critiques and discussions to develop an eye for design
• Enthusiastic and experienced faculty members
• 120-hour practicum with an industry partner
• Experience working on real client projects in our design studio, Studio Nuvo

Get top professional training in hairstyling and esthetics while practicing business management and serving real clients in VCC’s state-of-the-art salon and spa.

What you will learn
Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Perform all duties of a hairstylist in accordance with industry health and safety standards related to hygiene, sanitation and disinfection practices.
• Use and maintain tools and equipment according to industry standards.
• Demonstrate professional behavior and communication skills with clients and co-workers.
• Identify the structure and functions of the skin and the hair and recognize possible disease and disorders
• Perform shampooing, conditioning and scalp massaging services using the correct manipulations and professional haircare products.
• Demonstrate elevated and non-elevated haircuts using a variety of tools and techniques.
• Perform wet and dry hair styling using a variety of styling techniques, products and tools.
• Apply the fundamentals of preparing and applying professional colour and lightening products using specific applications and techniques.
• Demonstrate permanent wave procedures using a variety of tools and techniques.
• Describe the types and purposes of hair extensions, wigs and hairpieces.
• Apply fundamental business management knowledge and skills needed to operate a hair salon.

Upon successful completion of the Esthetics Certificate students will be able to:

• Practice skin and body therapies in accordance with safety, hygiene, and sanitation standards and regulations.
• Describe human anatomy, physiology and chemical composition specific to concerns relating to nail, skin, body, and hair removal treatments.
• Perform spa treatments based on client consultation, skin analysis and nutritional needs.
• Apply the principles of colour and design to lash, brow and specialized makeup techniques.
• Perform in an ethical and professional manner conducive to spa environments.
• Apply retail business administration practices and marketing techniques for operating a spa.

What to expect

• The Hairstylist Certificate program is designed to meet the training needs of the Industry and the required training objectives established by the Industry Training Authority (ITA). The Hairstylist program provides a wide range of student learning opportunities in the classroom, salon and workplace settings. Students will gain hands-on practical experience working with clients in the VCC Salon and Spa. Industry work experience provides students with additional opportunities to apply their knowledge and technical skills in a workplace setting. Classroom instruction is designed for students to develop theoretical knowledge and practical skills which will be applied for success in the VCC Salon and Spa.
• Active student learning and participation is emphasized throughout the program to promote the development of knowledge, technical skills and professional behaviour required for success in the industry. Lectures, demonstrations, group work, peer assessment, reflective journaling, and project based learning strategies are used throughout the program to promote student leaning.
• Practical training is conducted in a fully equipped spa where treatments are offered as to the public, providing authentic industry experience preceded by the necessary theory.
• Related theoretical content is delivered through lectures, demonstrations and various teaching aids in the classroom and is continuously integrated into the practical work.
• Strategies include:
• Guest speakers such as product experts and spa owners
• Field trips such as trade shows, supply houses and skills competitions
• Case studies such as industry trends and skin analysis
• Participation is integral to the development of practical skills in this program; therefore, students assume the role of client, therapist and spa coordinator.
• Work practicum offers students spa industry work experience, opportunities to practice knowledge and skills learned at the college and potential for employment.

Get full theoretical knowledge and practical training in hair design including cutting, colouring, styling, and overall salon management while serving real clients at VCC's state-of-the-art salon and spa.

What you will learn
Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Perform all duties of a hairstylist in accordance with industry health and safety standards related to hygiene, sanitation and disinfection practices.
• Use and maintain tools and equipment according to industry standards.
• Demonstrate professional behavior and communication skills with clients and co-workers.
• Identify the structure and functions of the skin and the hair and recognize possible disease and disorders
• Perform shampooing, conditioning and scalp massaging services using the correct manipulations and professional haircare products.
• Demonstrate elevated and non-elevated haircuts using a variety of tools and techniques.
• Perform wet and dry hair styling using a variety of styling techniques, products and tools.
• Apply the fundamentals of preparing and applying professional colour and lightening products using specific applications and techniques.
• Demonstrate permanent wave procedures using a variety of tools and techniques.
• Describe the types and purposes of hair extensions, wigs and hairpieces.
• Apply fundamental business management knowledge and skills needed to operate a hair salon.

What to expect

• The Hairstylist Certificate program is designed to meet the training needs of the Industry and the required training objectives established by the Industry Training Authority (ITA). The Hairstylist program provides a wide range of student learning opportunities in the classroom, salon and workplace settings. Students will gain hands-on practical experience working with clients in the VCC Salon and Spa. Industry work experience provides students with additional opportunities to apply their knowledge and technical skills in a workplace setting. Classroom instruction is designed for students to develop theoretical knowledge and practical skills which will be applied for success in the VCC Salon and Spa.
• Active student learning and participation is emphasized throughout the program to promote the development of knowledge, technical skills and professional behaviour required for success in the industry. Lectures, demonstrations, group work, peer assessment, reflective journaling, and project based learning strategies are used throughout the program to promote student leaning.

This program provides students with a solid foundation in business management and prepares them for employment in Canada. Students will learn the knowledge, skills, and acquire experience necessary to manage the human, physical, and financial resources and complex strategic and practical management issues that are present in today’s business environment.