The International SPA Association (ISPA) is teaming up with Beauty Changes Lives to introduce the ISPA Scholarship. Generously sponsored by ISPA, the scholarship will fund eight $1,000 tuition awards to students enrolled in an aesthetics, makeup, special effects makeup, or massage therapy program at an accredited school. Beauty Changes Lives will be accepting applications from March 1 through April 30, 2019.

The ISPA Scholarship raises awareness of spa employers’ soaring demand for qualified professionals. The 2018 ISPA Spa Workforce Study commissioned by ISPA Foundation and conducted by Pricewaterhouse Coopers found nearly 33,000 job openings in the spa industry. The study findings helped inspire the Get Your Dream Job campaign, a national coalition of spas, salons, and associations led by ISPA and Beauty Changes Lives. “With over 30,000 open positions within the spa industry, attracting new professionals to the industry is a top priority for the International SPA Association. We are delighted to offer the ISPA Scholarship and further our partnership with the Get Your Dream Job campaign,” said Lynne McNees, president of ISPA.

The ISPA Scholarship application consists of two steps. First, students must upload a three- to five-minute video showing the applicant applying an aesthetics treatment, massage therapy technique, or makeup application. In addition, applicants are required to describe why they love aesthetics, massage therapy, or makeup, why they chose a spa career, and how working in the spa industry will fulfill their passion.

“The addition of the ISPA Scholarship extends Beauty Changes Lives’ scholarship offerings into the spa sector,” said Lynelle Lynch, president of the Beauty Changes Lives Foundation. “We are honored to offer this scholarship to aspiring spa professionals.”