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Kathy Vlahos - Beauty

I have almost two decades experience in the beauty industry, having worked for several beauty salons before opening my own, EleGance, in 1988.

Kathy Vlahos
Kathy Vlahos, Beauty

Teaches

  • Diploma of Beauty Therapy
  • Diploma of Salon Management

Qualifications

  • Diploma of Beauty Therapy - Academy of Scientific Beauty;
  • Graduate Certificate in Tertiary Teaching and Learning - Canberra Institute of Technology;
  • Certificate IV in Training and Assessment - Canberra Institute of Technology;
  • Statement of Attainment in Occupational Health and Safety for OH&S Representatives - Workwatch OHS training.

Industry experience

I have almost two decades experience in the beauty industry, having worked for several beauty salons before opening my own, EleGance, in 1988.

EleGance was an award winning salon which was featured in Vogue and Marie Claire, and through which I was able to undertake numerous training courses overseas through relationships with colleagues, clients and suppliers.

I owned and managed EleGance in Canberra for 15 years, and towards the end of this period I began teaching beauty therapy at CIT on a casual basis.

In 2005 I began teaching full time at CIT where I am still very much in touch with the industry I love.

Customised training for industry

I have recently developed a course to help upskill the employees and employers of Canberra's day spas. Many salon owners have owned and run their businesses for years and so are highly skilled in many areas, but don’t have a formal Diploma-level qualification to back them up.

But as a former salon owner myself I know how busy the workplace can be, so rather than expecting these individuals to come to CIT, I take CIT to them! I go out to the business myself to assess their skills on the job, giving me a very clear idea of where their strengths and weaknesses lie. I give them credit for the things they do already know and then put together short, sharp units in any areas they need development. This means less time at CIT, less time away from the job, and an easier path to a qualification that will help both the business and the individual to flourish.

Other connections with industry

I am an active member of the beauty therapy industry, participating in conferences put on by the Australasian Spa Association and the Advanced Association of Beauty Therapists, to ensure I keep my skills up to date.

I maintain a strong interest in my industry and have many firm relationships and partnerships with businesses and business owners, and this helps me to keep up to date with relevant developments in the industry.

This is further supported by my work with our trainees - as I am responsible for the training of beauty therapy trainees at CIT I am in touch with the students' employers frequently to manage the training process and ensure everything runs smoothly.

Associations and memberships

  • Australasian Spa Association;
  • Advanced Association of Beauty Therapists.
  • LinkedIn: Kathy Vlahos