Despite the tough times, many people are still finding a few dollars to spend on managing the stress the economy is creating for them.

A new spa technician certificate program at Horry-Georgetown Technical College is banking on a need for workers trained in the art of alleviating stress. With a handful of new spas opening or planned for the Grand Strand, and spa industry organizations reporting business is still strong, the program could be a safe bet for the college.

“We conducted a needs assessment and the department chair contacted local salons and spas and asked them their need for hiring individuals with knowledge of spa techniques. She talked with about 45 employers and they said they had a need for spa therapists who had training,” said Marilyn Fore, senior vice president for academic affairs at HGTC. “The other benefit for us is we can offer the training in a quick turnaround period and get people out into the work force.”
Spa Certification Program

The program, which started in January, was on a fast track. Fore said the process moved quickly because of demand from local spa owners, particularly from a new spa scheduled to open this month.

Cinzia Spa at North Beach will open in North Myrtle Beach in the next two weeks depending on permit approvals. Tammy Pahel, president of Spa Management Solutions, the company helping to open the spa, said she’s hired about a dozen workers, but more will be needed as summer rolls around. The company also hopes to open a smaller companion spa in Surfside Beach. Cinzia will have a spa, fitness center and wellness services from a dermatologist and a physician of Oriental medicine.

“So we definitely have a need for well-trained employees who are being taught to the five-star standard, and that’s why we wanted to work with the college to make this available,” she said.

Pahel contacted Donna Nathlar-Shirley, department chairwoman for health sciences at HGTC, and arranged to have the professors for classes focusing on spa techniques in massage, facials and aromatherapy trained by the companies that make the products the Cinzia spa will be using. The companies also agree to provide supplies for the classes to get the program started.

“I have nine students in it, and I have people calling and inquiring and waiting for us to offer it next fall. Spa owners are calling to see when I’ll have graduates. Grande Dunes is looking for our graduates. We have a lot of spas that are waiting for our graduates so they can hire them,” Nathlar-Shirley said. “The program is really an advanced training. Students are going to walk away with high customer service, high protocol routines, and consistency in techniques.”

In a year when most companies offering luxury services or goods are seeing cutbacks in customers, day spas have been seeing an increase in visitors, according to the International Spa Association.

“Spa visits are up; however, the amount people are spending is down. And that may be because we’re seeing many spas offering 30-minute treatments instead of your typical 60- or 90-minute massages and facials allowing people to de-stress and nurture themselves while still watching their budgets,” the association’s President Lynne McNees said.

The association’s statistics for 2007 and 2008 showed a 31 percent increase in all spa employees – more than 70,000 workers – and a 22 percent increase in full-time employees, about 26,000 workers.

Nathlar-Shirley said she has heard similar trends from local spa owners.

“I’ve been hearing that even if people aren’t taking those $1,000 trips to Vegas, they’re planning staycations and treating themselves to a $300 spa day instead. They’re scaling down with the economy,” she said. “I’ve heard from a couple of spa owners who are saying certain kinds of business are up, and that’s encouraging.”

Students enrolling in the program are required to be in one of the other degree programs such as cosmetology, esthetics or massage therapy, or already be licensed in one of those areas. The program then trains those students in five-star techniques, product usage and consistency of service. The program will be offered again this fall, and for as long as there is a demand, Fore said. 

By the numbers

Spas are still showing increases in use as folks seek a stress reliever amid today’s tough times.

Revenue

2006 | $9.4 billion

2007 | $10.9 billion

16 percent increase

Spa visits

2006 | 111 million

2007 | 138 million

25 percent increase

Locations

2007 | 14,615

2008 | 18,089

24 percent increase

Total employees

2007 | 232,673

2008 | 303,719

31 percent increase

Full-time

2007 | 117,067

2008 | 143,267

22 percent increase

Part-time

2007 | 73,076

2008 | 111,973

53 percent increase

Source: International Spa Association

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Massage, Massage School, Massage Technique, Massage Therapists