A young Donegal woman is working her way up in the beauty therapy world after gaining top skills with Donegal ETB’s Further Education and Training (FET) Service.
Enya McGinley from Derrybeg started her Beauty Therapy journey straight after finishing her Leaving Cert in Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair.
One year on, she is a spa therapist at the luxurious Shandon Hotel & Spa.
Enya learned all the skills she needed right on her doorstep at the ETB’s Gweedore FET centre. Studying under therapists Mary Ferry and Donna Duggan, Enya gained ITEC qualifications in massage, make-up, waxing, electrical treatments and skincare. Her favourite module was manicures and pedicures, and she is now planning to advance her knowledge of the treatments even more this September in Blackrock.
The Beauty Therapist traineeship was a stepping stone to Enya’s first job in the industry. She had been doing two days of work experience per week at the Shandon Hotel in Portnablagh as part of the course. The spa was keen to offer her a full-time job after the placement was over. She has now been there more than a year, helping holidaymakers and visitors relax and unwind in an idyllic seaside spa.
“It is a lovely place to work. We have a great team. For me, I like fast-paced work and to be doing different treatments all the time. You are never bored in this work,” she said.
Helping people feel great is a daily highlight, she said. “It’s lovely when you have a client come in who is stressed, but after a massage they leave feeling so much better.”
Enya is one of eight therapists at the Shandon who have come through Donegal ETB’s beauty traineeship, which is a testament to the quality of the skills taught in the Gweedore FET centre.
“I could not talk highly enough about Donna and Mary. We were taught the most modern ways, and even though we did it in the middle of the pandemic, I enjoyed it all. It was the best thing I’ve ever done.”
Donegal ETB’s Beauty Therapy traineeship is one of a range of course that school leavers can apply for in Co Donegal. Applications are now being accepted for their range of PLCs, traineeships and specific skills courses through their website course finder or call FET Recruitment on 074 9120564 to find out more.
If you are interested in pursuing an apprenticeship, simply contact Donegal ETB’s Apprenticeship Team on 074 9120500 or email apprenticeship@donegaletb.ie or check out www.apprenticeship.ie
Further information is also available on Donegal ETB’s website here:
www.donegaletb.ie/further-education-training/apprenticeships and their social media accounts.
