Darling Starts Canadian Nail Alliance

NAILS’ 2001-2002 educator of the Year Tanis Darling has put her prize money where her mouth is. Not long after accepting the award, she told NAILS of her desire to promote standardized education and provide information and education for Canadian nail techs. To that end, Darling has used her $1,000 winnings to bankroll the Nail Tech Alliance of Canada, a new organization dedicated to providing information, education, and ultimately certification to Canada’s largely unregulated nail professionals.

“I’ve long been concerned about the lack of standardized education in our technician programs. The goal of NTAC is to instill a high level of skills and professionalism to ensure a bright future for our industry,” says Darling. “With chapter heads in each province, we hope to be responsive to individual regulations and concerns.”

Membership benefits include a bimonthly newsletter with generic technical and business information, changes in rules and regulations, upcoming events, national and provincial happenings, and special discounts. Other benefits include client referrals, networking, opportunities to become an educator in your area – and perhaps most importantly – the opportunity to become a certified nail technician.

Four levels of certification are available based on a written exam, practical exam, apprenticeship, and years of experience. A number of schools in Ontario and Quebec have already adopted the certified curriculum for their students. Although certification is an important aspect of the program, nail techs can join NTAC and support its goals without participating in the certification program, says Darling.