Training Aesthetics, Skin and Laser practitioners with expertise and care.

Practical, supportive Aesthetics, Skin and Laser education from practitioners who know what it takes to build confidence in the real world.

Studio 147 Academy was born over good food, good wine, and a shared belief that aesthetics training could be done better.

Founded by Amy and Mike, we built the academy around four non-negotiables:

small group sizes, so every student gets real attention;
ongoing support that doesn’t end when the course does;
hands-on demonstrations, with the quality products, equipment and brands used in real practice;
and complete transparency, always.

This is training the way we always dreamed it should be.

Meet Your Trainers

Amy

Amy Shaw is a skin and laser specialist with experience across the skin, laser & aesthetics industry. She has been running her own salon for 8 years and previously spent 10 years with the awarding organisation ‘City & Guilds’ before that she was a teacher and IQA.

Now channelling that expertise into Studio 147 Academy, Amy is passionate about all things skin and laser, and about training the next generation to the same exacting standard. Her most proud moment is winning the industry’s ‘Empowerment Award’ in 2024.

Mike

Mike Blackham is a Registered Nurse, Independent & Supplementary Prescriber and Global Educator with 20+ years in aesthetics. He has trained Nurses, Doctors and Surgeons worldwide, represented leading industry brands, and featured in Vogue, Cosmopolitan and The Guild of Beauty Therapists.

A Face & Body Aesthetics specialist, he brings real-world expertise to every class. Mike is passionate about all things aesthetics and giving you your confidence

Where theory meets real-world practice.

Our teaching philosophy is simple: a safe, confident practitioner is made through real hands-on practice, not a packed classroom and a certificate at the end. It’s what we felt traditional aesthetics training often gets wrong, so we prioritise small group sizes, genuine one-to-one time with real products and equipment, and a pace that lets theory and practice reinforce each other, not compete for time.

We also recognise that confidence takes different students different amounts of time to build, and our training style reflects that; patient, hands-on, and tailored rather than one-size-fits-all. And because we don’t think support should end at graduation, we stay on hand afterwards for questions, refreshers, and guidance as you put your training into practice.

What happens during training

Each course combines focused theory sessions followed by hands-on practical time in small groups.

What students receive:

You’ll train on the real products, equipment and brands used in professional practice, alongside course materials and direct access to your trainer throughout.

How assessment works:

Your competency is assessed through practical demonstration and trainer sign-off, and with VCTC you will have an exam or assignments.

Certification:

On successful completion, you’ll receive your CPD certificate or VTCT certification, recognised across the industry. With a collectable pin badge representing your awards.

Post-course support:

Support doesn’t stop at graduation, you can come back to us with questions, request refreshers, and get guidance as you start treating clients with monthly support calls that are free to access.