Good morning everyone. And a very warm welcome to all of our guests attending our 2018 Graduation.
I am Sandy Fuhr, Founder of Beauty Therapy Institute group of now 11 Service SETA accredited campuses around South Africa, Namibia and Nigeria. An ever-growing group of highly committed educators and Principals, dedicated to their students ongoing education and career development in an industry of exceptional proportions.
This day is for our most special guests – the students – of the Beauty Therapy Institute. It all began 22 years ago. Believe it. 22 years. A definite WOW moment it is.
We are so happy to have so many of you here today. And never to forget the support group sitting amongst us. Parents, friends, siblings, spouses, partners… All of you being the most treasured and needed for our students, through their massive undertakings. And of course, we cannot forget our support structure within the systems being our suppliers, the training team of Beauty Therapy Institute and Sorbet training departments.
Annually I am given the honour to open the Beauty Therapy Institute graduation ceremonies. After 19 years of hosting my own graduation, to be an invited guest is such a pleasure.
Even though time has passed, I am still so proud to share the immense joy, accolades and accomplishments with all of you and to recognise the hard work and achievements of both students and educators alike. However, without having to take part in the background planning and organising. What a winning recipe.
So, there’s 1 most important reason we gather formally like this, make speeches and give out certificates. The reason is to honour our students. Each and every one of you! Your immense dedication and determination to complete your training. To formally recognise the moment when you move from learning into practising.
It’s a time of change for all of you. So we make a point to mark this moment today with a formal ceremony, and I’m sure you’ll celebrate further later on today with your friends and families.
And after that, what’s next… Some big decisions have to be made about your next steps. Some of you will continue learning new skills. Cudos to you because you realise that ongoing learning is so very important. Others of you will be looking to start your careers within the beauty industry.
Whatever your path, you can be confident and assured that the skills and knowledge you’ve gained throughout your training will empower you to take that next step to success.
I certainly am happy to report that forecasts show the beauty therapy industry is set to evolve in new and exciting ways.
The industry is adapting and changing so that it can give the consumer what they want, in a safe and professional environment. More and more we see salons offering specialised treatments as new technologies have become more readily available. Treatments and equipment once considered advanced are now more commonplace due to affordability for salons to purchase/lease.
All of this means that in today’s times, working in a Beauty or Nail Salon, Spa or Advanced Aesthetics business, Therapists need to possess highly-refined technical skill sets which include communication, technology, digital literacy, retail selling and business management.
Success in your workplace will depend at this point on the training you have received, and whether that training aligns with the changing needs of your clients and the industry.
With this taken into consideration, the educational systems and various courses on offer are examined externally. These international examination boards have had to re-look at what and how they are examining our students to be sure that they are aligned with the needs of the Beauty and Spa industry. Which currently is one of the largest global industries. Almost guaranteeing a place of work for every one of our graduates sitting amongst us today.
For our economy to flourish, the Beauty sector needs to be supplied with staff to maintain this growth. Which industry do you know, where the demand for staff surpasses the supply? We have a massive number of clinics looking for well qualified therapists, with an insufficient supply of you. What a wonderful position for you to be in. Not as many graduates from Universities can be assured of a workplace upon exiting varsity.
Steve Jobs once said: ‘If today was the last day of my life, would I want to do what I’m about to do today?” I think the answer would be ‘yes’ for today. But tomorrow, would your answer still be yes?
So I repeat: ‘If today was the last day of my life, would I want to do what I’m about to do today?” Do you want to touch and work with people? Do you want to make others feel better about themselves? Do you want to change other people’s space in the world? Do you want to keep learning new skills for the rest of your life?
If your response is yes, then you are in the right industry for you. The right industry for us.
The Beauty Therapy Institute colleges are extremely proud to announce that 2018 brought about the launch of our 10th and 11th BTI franchises in Benoni, East Rand and Brackenfell, Cape Town. We are so excited to be able to continue to develop the education system especially for you.
I congratulate each and every one of you on your results and awards. I am so grateful to all who have helped.
It is a time to bid you all farewell and wish you very happy holidays. We look forward to seeing many of you back in 2019, fresh, re-energised and ready to face the New Year with a vengeance.
Embrace the change that is happening around you. Daily moving through a process of adaptations. Your chosen career and dream will always encompass and embrace change. This is an integral part of being in this industry.
Bring it on. Absorb it. Be part of it.
“Remind yourselves often why you are doing this kind of work.” But also remember:
“It’s important to take care of yourself as you’re taking care of others.” With those talented and such capable hands of yours.