Better to get recognised qualifications
Published on: Tuesday, October 06, 2015
Kota Kinabalu: There is a need for massage therapists, including reflexologists, particularly locals, to acquire recognised qualifications for their skills to distinguish them from the many unqualified masseuses in Sabah.Human Resource Department (JPSM) State Director Billy Yumbod said customers would be more confident if their qualifications are issued by the relevant departments or agencies."Nowadays, the demand for skilful massage therapists and reflexologists is very high in the State as we can see many massage and reflexology business premises mushrooming due to high demand for the services from locals and foreign tourists.
ADVERTISEMENT
"As a result, there are many massage therapists and reflexologists who are not qualified working in these wellness centres where some would learn the massage techniques from their workplaces that are running the services but not recognised by relevant departments."There are some who would take the initiative to take up the massage and reflexology courses with JPSM or Skill Development Department (JPK) so that the skills they acquire are recognised and they could get repeat customers who would be satisfied with their services," he said.Yumbod said this at the closing ceremony of a reflexology course for Level 3 Malaysia Skill Certificate (SKM) for 20 trainees who completed the one-year course here on Monday.JPSM Sabah sponsored a total of 15 women and five men throughout Sabah to take up the course at Stella Beauty Salon & Spa in Papar for 12 months with the Level 3 SKM certificates issued by JPK.
ADVERTISEMENT
Also present were Stella Beauty Salon & Spa owner, Stella Matuya and senior officials from the JPSM Sabah.Yumbod said the Level 3 SKM for the reflexology course is the highest qualification that the JPK offers to participants as they could learn the latest techniques and skills of massaging more than the legs for reflexology massage.
ADVERTISEMENT
By having the recognised qualifications, he said the customers would not doubt the massaging skills and expertise of the massage therapists when spending their money on their services."For instance, recently, my wife and I went for reflexology services on our legs for 90 minutes at Gaya Street. Two men who are massage therapists massaged our legs whereby I could assess that my masseuse is an experienced one and he knows how to massage my legs which involved my knees and calves quite intensively until I fell asleep."I knew by then that my masseuse must have undergone a course on massage and rendered a good and satisfying reflexology services. Upon paying for the services, my wife complained that her masseuse did not massage her knees and the area behind the knees and her calves well which left her unsatisfied."That is why I emphasise the importance of gaining the latest knowledge and techniques to upgrade their massaging skills and to widen their experiences so as to provide better services and get repeat customers," he said.On the 20 trainees who completed the course, Yumbod advised them not to right away open a wellness and reflexology centre based on the Level 3 SKM they acquired from JPK.Instead, he said they should start work in those centres to apply what they have learn and save money so that they could have capital to start the wellness business.Furthermore, he said the trainees could also offer the massage and reflexology services from home as well as market their skills via the social media network such as though Facebook, blogs and distribute their business cards to friends and acquaintances."I am calling on these 20 trainees not to waste the latest skills they have acquired from the course as 12 months is a long period of learning and they are also very fortunate as JPSM Sabah sponsored the course and they did not pay any fee."So, what's left is their commitment and dedication to do the next thing to go forward in the reflexology field," Yumbod said.One of the trainees, Satiyu Inggang, 54, who runs a small-time wellness centre in Kota Belud took up the one-year course at Stella Beauty Salon & Spa in Papar to acquire the Level 3 SKM that would recognise her massaging skills."One new and valuable information I gained was that massaging the ears that have important physical points that could make the customers feel good and healthy inside," said Satiyu when met at the event.Another trainee, Mohammad Hisam bin Abdul Gapal, 22, from Semporna said he gained new knowledge on the do's and don'ts in the massaging and reflexology field.The third child of seven siblings who is currently working as a masseuse in a wellness centre here said he will apply what he learnt in his work and aims to be a better qualified massage therapist.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
