Cosmetic Chemists who are new to the industry can now hone their skills more readily thanks to a virtual internship initiative introduced by the Institute of Personal Care Science.
According to the school’s founder, Belinda Carli, the issue of having to protect intellectual property within brands and contract manufacturers has reduced the number of opportunities open to new cosmetic chemists wanting to enter the industry.
The gap in the market
Carli realized the gap in the market and has responded with virtual internship courses, carefully designed to require chemists to work the six full product developments that start with the concept, through to finished formulas, as well as method and samples that incorporates preliminary testing and records.
But besides opening up new opportunities for interns, the courses are designed in such a way that they can also fit around the busy schedules of individuals, which means tasks can be undertaken to accommodate other commitments.
“These Virtual Internships not only enable Chemists to have the Internship experience with real world examples, they also provide Learners with the opportunity to work on their Internship during or after hours, in a part-time or full-time capacity, from anywhere in the world,” Carli stated.
What the course includes
The course includes all product development briefs for ingredient and raw material, preparation for finished samples, stability and safety testing and preparing for commercial assessments.
The course represents approximately 250 hours of research and development work, replicating workplace procedures for six high performing personal care and hair care products.
On top of this, the entire course has the back support from an experienced trainer/assessor that all culminates in an official internship report that can be used to boost the cosmetic chemist’s resume.
In your own time and from whatever location
And although the Institute of Personal Care Science is located in Australia, where it has built a proven track record in online training, it has established means of delivery that include dropbox database for raw material brochures; video demonstrations and a detailed yet easy to follow ‘study checklist’ accessible 24/7 to suit any time zone.
All of this means that the tools are already in place to provide prospective virtual interns with the necessary coursework, submission process and support network, no matter where in the world they are located.
“When companies look for a Chemist to employ, they are often open to the innovative ideas and energy that a new candidate can bring to a position – but they may be lacking in experience and confidence., “ said Carli.
“These Virtual Internships enable recent graduates and skilled Chemists from other sectors alike the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities, build their confidence and refine their skills under the guide of an Experienced Mentor. Sometimes that extra support is all they need to come up with the next brand leading formulation or concept.