Q I am a final year student of Government Polytechnic, Ambala city. My trade is Plastic Technology. What is the future in this field? I have heard about the CIPET, what are the courses it offers?

— Vikrant Dubey

A Globally, the plastics and polymer industry has emerged as a major sector of growth. Demands from a variety of industries such as those of the transport sector, household appliances and goods, packaging and electricity and telecommunication have enhanced research and production, hence creating employment in all sectors of the industry. For instance, synthetic rubber is now in great demand.

Almost everything we wear and almost everything we carry in our pocket or bag is made of polymers. So polymer and plastics will make an excellent career. Opportunities for work exist in technological applications, R&D, production and marketing in industries that use these materials or those engaged in the production of synthetic fibres and textiles, synthetic rubber, plastics, household goods etc.

Chemical engineering is the father of polymer engineering, which involves designing of processes and equipment for producing new and different types of synthetic material.

The Central Institute of Plastics Engineering and Technology (CIPET) is an autonomous Institute under the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Government of India. The CIPET is the only institute where all the facilities like design, tooling, processing and testing of plastics are available under one roof. It caters to the needs of plastic industries through manpower training, processing, design and CAD/CAM/CAE, testing, consultancy, advisory and developmental services. So as to meet the growing needs of plastics conversion industry, CIPET has established extension centres in various States of the country. For further details on CIPET and the different courses and the nearest study center, you could log on to www.cipetindia.com/

Cosmetology courses

Q I am interested to take up cosmetology as a career. Please tell me the institutions that offer courses in cosmetology. Also, what are the job prospects in this line?

— Nisha Chandra, Shahbad (M)

A As a Cosmetologist, you have a whole range of specialisations to choose from beauty therapy, hair styling, make-up, massage, facials, manicure, pedicure, electrolysis, herbal beauty care etc. There are other closely related jobs like those of a beauty lab assistant, health club instructor, cosmetic sales person, consultant, yoga and nature cure practitioner etc. While it is possible to practice more than one of these simultaneously, you can choose to specialise in any one - hair, skin or makeup -- if that's where your interest lies.

There are countless courses on offer at fees ranging from Rs 5,000 to 40,000. However, don't go for fancy-sounding crash courses that drill a hole in your pocket and leave you none the wiser. Training in cosmetology typically takes 6-12 months comprising of theory, demonstration and 'practical'. Training is imparted by various vocational institutions like women's polytechnics as well as by reputed professionals in the field e.g. Shahnaaz Hussain, Habib, Blossom Kochar, Bharti Taneja, Miriam Zaveri, Vandana Luthra, Ambika Pillai, etc), many of whom operate through their franchisees in various cities. Check around in your city for similar privately -run courses (Berkowitz, Alps, Biotique, Pivot Point) which enjoy good word-of-mouth reputation.

 National & Regional Vocational Training Institutes for Women (M/o Labour, GoI) offer recognised courses in beautycare/cosmetology (Delhi, Noida, Allahabad, Mumbai, Kolkata, Vadodra, Hissar, Indore, Trivandrum, Tura).

• YWCA (www. ywcaindia.org) centres in major cities also offer courses in beautycare of a reasonable standard.

• Nagpur University (www.nagpur-university.com) offers a BTech in Cosmetic Technology, perhaps the only one of its kind.

• Pearl Academy of Fashion, A-21/13, Naraina Industrial Area, Phase II, New Delhi 110028 (www.pearlacademy.com ) offers a Diploma in Fashion Media Make-up (1-yr). In association with London College of Fashion, UK.

• VLCC Institute, ( www.vlcc.co.in ) (Diploma in Beauty Culture & Hair Design, Fitness & Personal Training (8-mth); Diploma in Dietetics, Health & Nutri (1 yr+ 3mth); Short-term Basic /Advance courses in Makeup, Hair Designing, Beauty Culture.

(The list is not exhaustive)

— Pervin Malhotra
Please send in your query, preferably on a postcard, along with your full name, complete address and academic qualifications to: Editor, Jobs and Careers, The Tribune, Sector 29, Chandigarh-160030, or at careers@tribunemail.com