Do you want to be a nail tech?
Whether you’d like to do your own nails, build some extra income on the side, work in a salon or quit your job and go full-time from home, The Nail Vault can give you the training and qualifications you need.
Scroll down for information on nail technician training and up-skill courses, our most up-to-date Nail Technician Education brochure, 2024 course dates and enrolment info, and our terms of service.
Part-time courses and flexible classes
Our nail tech courses are part-time training options that cover everything you’ll need to know as a professional in the nail industry - regardless of whether you’re looking to study from scratch or up-skill your services, you’ll go away confident, certified and with plenty of future training options.
Full, up-front payment
4 - 12 weekly instalments
Deposit + lump sum(s)
We accept credit card payments via PayPal (2.9% surcharge applies) or direct bank transfer; fees must be paid in full 14 days prior to course starting.
Payment options
Study with an experienced educator
Serena Maree is a nail technology educator of 4+ years and an award-winning nail technician of over 7. She is super passionate about catering to students’ individual learning styles, and an extremely hands-on educator dedicated to creating an experience that she’s proud of.
With over 60 students having studied various courses and classes at The Nail Vault since 2020, you’ll be entering a space of refined creative, practical learning where note-taking, colour-coding, questions and mistakes are welcomed - where there’s always more than one way (+ a metaphor) to explain the science or technique, and always the patience to see it all the way through to understanding and applying.
Designed for beginners
These Foundation courses have been designed to cater to complete beginners who’ve never touched nail products before - but practise always makes better!
If you’re a fast learner or are already confident with nail products prior to studying professionally, there’s always more ways you can refine or expand on a skull to further build your knowledge - this is where no matter how you learn, Serena will always get you the most you possibly can out of your nail tech education at The Nail Vault.
“Serena is a very empowering teacher and has so much knowledge to share.”
I am so grateful to have gotten the opportunity to train with Serena last year! She not only taught me all of the skills I have today, but she encouraged me and filled me with so much confidence. She has also always had time to answer any questions or offer tips and continue to cheer lead even after qualifying! I look forward to up-skilling and spending more time soaking up her endless knowledge.
— Caitlin Noonan
Gain Nationally recognised qualifications
Serena is a certified Nail Tech Educator for Designer Nails NZ. When you study at The Nail Vault, you’ll gain Designer Nails qualifications - an exclusively NZ-owned brand, Designer Nails is one of the fastest growing and biggest professional nail brands in the country, dedicated to providing safe, beautiful, vegan and scientifically formulated 10-free products to the professional-only market.
Designer Nails New Zealand is Christchurch-based and owned by Candace Woods, a passionate nail technician with over 20 years of experience in the beauty industry and the owner-operator of Designer Nails Distribution.
Study at The Nail Vault and take advantage of:
Entry level study available to ages 15+ (no other pre-requisites apply)
Small class sizes (max. 2 people) with attentive, custom-to-the-student training
Full kits (incl. in fees) that include everything you’ll need to practise your course modules and service clients completely from home
Exclusive resources - designed by Serena - to support your learning and help you on your way to starting your own business (no gate-keeping here!)
An additional focus on you as a nail technician servicing clientele, and how to support yourself physically and mentally in this professional space
“Serena is an incredibly patient, passionate and supportive teacher.”
"Serena was my amazing nail technician through my short and nude-only phase through to my long and all the glitter phase, before I decided that I wanted a fun and fulfilling side-hustle, which I found in nails! There were definitely points where I wanted to throw in the towel because I couldn’t get something right. Serena always pushed me through my own doubt, spent extra time going over areas I hadn’t quite figured out yet, and gave me an endless amount of advice and guidance throughout my nail technician journey!
— Kelsey Illing
Foundation courses are suitable for complete beginners through to seasoned “at-home gel kit” lovers (let me teach you why to ditch your your home kit!) - private and discounted group training available
Auckland Nail Training Courses
This course covers the theory behind nails and the basics of doing a manicure with Gel Polish from start to finish - including prepping the natural nail properly, applying the product tidily and removing gel safely.
You will receive a full take-home kit at your first class, and gain 2x Designer Nails certificates that allow you to work as a nail technician either in a salon or at home, and purchase professional product.
2 classes 8 hours total
Part-time 1-2 weeks
$1,699 incl. GST and full kit Group training: $1,399
2 certificates Theory, Gel Polish
Gel Polish Technology Foundation Course
As well as everything included in the Gel Polish Technology course, the Gel Nail Technology course also includes Gel Extensions and E-File training. Gel Extensions are a great way to offer length to your clients without needing to learn all of the theory and application behind building an extension from scratch. E-File is an incredible tool that can help you to prep cuticles cleanly and save your wrists from the intensity of hand-filing when you remove or infill product.
You will receive a full take-home kit at your first class, and gain 4x Designer Nails certificates that allow you to work as a nail technician either in a salon or at home, and purchase professional product.
5 classes 20 hours total
Part-time 6 weeks
$3,999 incl. GST and full kit Group training: $2,999
4 certificates Theory, Gel Polish, E-File, Gel Extensions
Gel Nail Technology Foundation Course
10 classes 40 hours total
Part-time 12 weeks
$5,999 incl. GST and kit Group training: $4,599
7 certificates Theory, Gel Polish, E-File, Gel Extensions, Sculpted Extensions, AcrylGel, Full Nail Technician
Full Nail Technology Foundation Course
The Full Nail Technology Course covers all the major services you’re likely to find in a salon. As well as everything included in the Gel Nail Technology course, the Full course also includes Sculpted Extensions using forms, and AcrylGel (a gel-acrylic hybrid that’s quickly overtaking acrylic in the nail industry as the go-to for extending nails).
You will receive a full take-home kit at your first class, and gain 6x Designer Nails certificates that allow you to work as a nail technician either in a salon or at home, and purchase professional product.
Builder Gel Masterclass
Up-skill class
1 class 2.5 hours total
$375 incl. GST Group training: $299
1 certificate Certificate of Builder Gel Mastery
Builder Gel is one of the most popular products on the market at the moment - learn how to properly structure a Builder Gel manicure to add strength to clients’ nails and create a beautiful set of nails. This Masterclass covers shaping/structure and its importance, how to apply product to build said structure, hand-filing techniques for refining structure, and how to infill your manicure and re-build the structure for a fresh set.
You will receive a Certificate of Builder Gel Mastery upon completion of this class (or your course if you’re adding this on to a Foundation training).
All add-on/up-skill classes and courses are certified.
Cost and timeframes vary - please enquire below for more details.
Add-on classes
and up-skill courses
If you’re wanting a bit more in your foundation course, or you already have certificates in basic training (either from us or somewhere else) and are looking to expand your skills in general, you can up-skill in Nail Art Level 1-3, Builder Gel structure and infills, E-File, Acrylgel or Acrylic, Gel or Sculpted Extensions as individual classes and courses.
“An Exceptional Nail Course Experience!”
My time studying the Gel Nail Technology course at The Nail Vault was truly amazing. Under Serena's skilled and supportive guidance, the comprehensive curriculum and hands-on training proved to be incredibly valuable. The positive learning environment enhanced my Gel Nail Tech journey significantly. I wholeheartedly recommend this nail course to anyone interested!
— Jennifer Sayasinh
Course Dates
With a maximum class size of 2 people, group training is a great option if you’re looking for set class times and discounted fees.
Scroll down to contact us if you’d like to book in a group course for you and a friend, or check out our current set group course dates for 2024/2025 below.
None of these dates work for you?
Contact us about private training and study more flexibly.
2024
1x 930am-1pm class per week for 8 weeks, not incl. exam
All products supplied and full take-home kit included.
$4,599.00 per person
Full Nail Tech Training
Intake 1:
from February 10th (930am-1pm)
FULL
1x 930am-1pm class per week for 4 weeks, not incl. exam
All products supplied and full take-home kit included.
$2,999.00 per person
Gel Nail Tech Training
Intake 1:
from February 18th (11am-230pm)
All products supplied and full take-home kit included
$1,399.00 per person
Gel Polish Training
Intake 1:
Tuesday February 11th (930am-4pm)
2025
However, private training is still available - contact us for flexible study options.
Group Nail Tech Training has finished for this year.
Got some questions?
If you’d like to chat further about the best Nail Tech education option for you, fill in the form below and we’ll get back to you within 24 hours (business days).
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