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As we move further into the new millennium, the business world seems to be becoming more and more reliant on technology. Many tasks that were formally performed by workers have been taken over by computer automated systems.

New qualifications for beauty therapy will be developed by awarding bodies later this year after HABIA announced that new standards for beauty therapy have been approved.

Face It has won the first UK Salon of the Year award from South African skincare brand Environ. The salon, in North London, sold more Environ products than any of the 350-plus stockists.

New qualifications for beauty therapy will be developed by awarding bodies later this year after HABIA announced that new standards for beauty therapy have been approved. The standards were devel­ oped by HABIA as part of its regular review of the National Occupational Standards - the criteria upon which all beauty therapy qualifications are based.

A Level 1 qualification has been re-introduced for beginners, while Levels 2 and 3 now incorporate three distinct routes; general beauty therapy and beauty therapy make-up at Level 2, with beauty therapy massage an additional route available at Level 3. Separate standards have also been developed in Nail Services and Spa Therapy, which will lead to new qualifications in these areas, while there are new standards in Advanced Practices such as laser/IPL and micro-pigmentation.

Final approval of the standards and structures, plus an assessment strategy to ensure consistent marking and assessment of vocational qualifications across all awarding bodies, was received in January from the UK Co-ordinating Group the approval committee comprised of representatives from the Government regulatory bodies for qualifications.

Alan Goldsbro, HABIA CEO, said: "We have spent much time working with the beauty industry to listen to their views, under colleagues, ending with celebrity guest Keith Chegwin hosting a "The Sally Price Is Right" competition. Guests then enjoyed the themed gypsies, tramps and stand their opinions and develop their ideas to ensure the standards are the best, most up to date and advanced in the world. "These standards show the professionalism of the UK beauty therapy industry and are the blueprint for its continued success."

The new standards come into effect from summer 2004. HABIA has already begun developing a Learning Support Pack, and has created a series of workshops and briefings for educators delivering the standards. Outlines of the new standards can be found at www.habia.org. For more information on the pack, workshops or briefings, contact HABIA sales on tel 01302 380 013.