Training and skills to work in personal services

Building your career in personal services requires certain training and skills. You may already have some of the needed skills depending on your life or experience.

Find out which Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses you can undertake and what financial support may be available to help pay for your course.

TAFE and training courses

The VET courses below will set you on the path to a career in personal services. They can also help you learn new skills if you are already working in the industry.

Depending on your needs, you can choose from different course loads and levels, from short courses and skill sets to certificate and diploma qualifications.

Many courses also include practical placements to give you hands-on experience. Find out more about TAFE and training.

Explore these personal services training courses on the Victorian Skills Gateway(opens in a new window):

• animal care and management(opens in a new window)
• barbering(opens in a new window)
• beauty therapy and services(opens in a new window)
• celebrancy(opens in a new window)
• fitness and personal training(opens in a new window)
• hairdressing(opens in a new window)
• make-up(opens in a new window)
• massage therapy(opens in a new window)
• nail technology(opens in a new window)
• remedial massage(opens in a new window)
• salon assistance and management(opens in a new window).
  

Apprenticeships and traineeships

Apprenticeships and traineeships are available in many industries. They give you the opportunity to learn on the job in a real workplace while studying a VET course through a TAFE or training provider. You earn a wage, and you can be full time or part time.

You can start an apprenticeship or traineeship at any stage of your career, even when you’re still at secondary school. On completion you’ll gain a nationally recognised qualification.

To find out more about apprenticeships and traineeships visit:

• Victorian Registration & Qualifications Authority(opens in a new window)
• Apprenticeships Victoria(opens in a new window)
• Australian Apprenticeships(opens in a new window)
• Headstart apprenticeships and traineeships(opens in a new window) (school based apprenticeships and traineeships)
• Do an apprenticeship or traineeship.

Personal and transferable skills

‘Transferable skills’ are skills that you can use in different jobs, roles and careers. You may already have them or will learn them as your career progresses.

Some personal and transferable skills you might find helpful for working in personal services include:

• customer service
• relationship building
• planning and organising
• communication
• literacy and numeracy
• ability to work independently.

Financial support for training

Free TAFE provides free or low cost access to selected courses and pre-apprenticeship courses for in demand jobs in Victoria.

You may be eligible for Free TAFE or Skills First funding to help pay for your course or apprenticeship.

Visit our financial assistance for training and other expenses page for more information.

Get help finding the right course

Need help deciding on a training course, or planning your next career step?

Contact the TAFE and Training Line for information via phone or email about training courses, training providers and government-subsidised training.

Contact your local Skills and Jobs Centre for free qualified, independent advice and support on training, career planning and finding a job in your local area.

Resources to plan your next steps

Visit our personal services industry profile to find out about:

• what it’s like to work in personal services, and some of the jobs you could do
• training and skills to work in the industry, and financial assistance to help pay for your course
• help getting a job in personal services, and industry job forecasts for Victoria
• other free resources and advice to plan your training and career.

Explore growing industries in your region