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Message from the Managing DirectorCongratulations on your decision to consider a career in the spa/wellness industry. It can be an outstanding one! In every major industry study in North America for at least the last 10 years, when industry leaders across the country were asked to identify the number one challenge facing the industry their unanimous and consistent response is - the lack of properly qualified staff. This relates to all staff positions: technical; client service; administrative; and, management. This is not surprising given that the cumulative growth in the number of spas (within the International Spa Association’s [ISPA] definition of “spa”) over the last 10 years in Canada alone is over 329%! And make no mistake, this is not a fad – this has become a lifestyle choice moving the spa/wellness industry to become the 4th largest leisure market in North America. With today’s global instabilities, complexities of life and unprecedented sources of stress, the healing that this industry brings will not be going away soon. Nearly everyone thinks about the lifestyle or self-indulgent aspect of “spa” when they hear the word and never stop to identify and consider the amazing local and international career opportunities that abound within the industry. But you did. Particularly, I thank you for your interest in Elmcrest College. We know that the long-term success of Elmcrest is dependent on the success of our graduates through their performance, growth and leadership in the workplace. Yet beyond this business motivator, our many student testimonials will clearly demonstrate the level of pride and personal ownership each member of our stellar team has in each individual student’s success. It always warms my heart and waters my eyes at every graduation to see the students hugging their instructors and crying as it is then time to let go. Student speakers spew numerous life-changing experiences and life-long bonds and they speak of their deep appreciation for what Elmcrest staff have given them. I have never seen the level of emotion at any other graduation ceremony I have attended – it is special. And, many of these bonds are maintained through our alumni structure & programs. Not everyone who applies at Elmcrest is accepted for admission. We pre-qualify all of our students to ensure that they will have a high likelihood of success in their chosen program. This is in everyone’s best interest. Some realities are that none of our courses are easy and a spa/wellness career is not a great fit for everyone. We would prefer to try to help you find this out before you enter a program rather than after you have completed it. This is one of many examples that speaks to the fact that I along with many other Elmcrest staff are also parents of adults who have either been through, are going through or will be going through post-secondary school education so we look at things from the perspective of what we would want and expect for our own. Elmcrest College not only understands the wellness and spa industry but is a recognized leader in it (see my bio for more). While this in itself has created significant equity in an Elmcrest diploma and a link to some amazing international as well as local career placements, the rubber really hits the road through the performance and professional decorum of Elmcrest graduates. So, perhaps the most compelling reason behind our industry leadership roles was and is that we get to hear and understand the needs of the industry directly and immediately which allows us to ensure these needs are met through our program contents. Our programs were developed and regularly reviewed to meet the high-standard changing needs of the industry as opposed to being developed to simply meet minimum government requirements. Further supporting this commitment and ability to create training based on all the tools needed to do the job is our affiliate relationship with the Elmwood Spa in Toronto where I spend my first industry years as Managing Director of that facility before starting up Elmcrest for the same owner. The Elmwood is Canada’s largest day spa and a multi award winning business in operation since 1982. So the combination of broad industry leadership coupled with heavy duty practical expertise positions Elmcrest uniquely to create and deliver programs that produce the targeted results. It will also be reassuring to know that part of Elmcrest’s vision is to provide life-long learning and professional development opportunities that respond to the ongoing needs in the industry. As we continue to grow, we remain committed to the expansion of the number and diversity of post-graduate and specialty courses available within all of our primary faculties. We will continue to do what we do best and we will continue to maintain our position of doing it better than anyone else. On behalf of Elmcrest College, I hope that we can become part of your success story – start by reading the materials contained on the website and contacting our Admissions Department today for a no-pressure appointment.
Jack Morrison, CMA |
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