Workforce Planning Questions for Spa Leaders
by accrediting bodies and trade associations within the broader massage therapy, spa and wellness fields. These concerns include questions about whether the proposed earnings test adequately accounts for part-time work, regional wage variation and tipped income, which are common in these professions. FSMTB also relayed industry projections suggesting that a significant share of somatic bodywork, massage therapy and similar programs could fail the proposed threshold, so that massage schools and programs may consider submitting public comments on the rulemaking.
Potential business implications In an open letter to the DOE, the Professional Beauty Association( PBA) said the organization is“ concerned that the proposed framework may unintentionally limit access to education programs that serve as critical entry points into employment and small business ownership.”
Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals( ABMP) has similarly warned the rule could affect not only schools, but also downstream employers. Its position is that reduced student access may lead to fewer graduates, tighter hiring conditions and longer-term workforce shortages for spas, salons and clinics.
Spa leaders should monitor the rulemaking process, assess local school partnerships and consider how potential changes to graduate supply could affect recruiting, service capacity and long-term staffing plans. ISPA will continue to follow developments and share additional information through appropriate channels, including future editions of Pulse. n
Workforce Watch
If finalized as proposed, the Department of Education rule could affect the future supply of licensed massage therapists, estheticians and cosmetology professionals by limiting federal aid access for students enrolled in affected programs.
“ Reduced student access could lead to fewer graduates, tighter hiring conditions and longer-term workforce shortages.”
Workforce Planning Questions for Spa Leaders
AS THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION rulemaking process continues, spa leaders may want to assess how closely their talent pipeline is tied to local massage, esthetics and cosmetology programs that rely on Title IV federal student aid. Industry advocates have warned reduced access to federal aid could limit student enrollment in affected programs and, over time, reduce the number of new professionals entering the field.
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER: l Which local schools supply a meaningful portion of your applicant pool? l Do those schools participate in Title IV federal aid programs? l How many recent hires came from certificate or clock-hour programs? l Could your spa expand apprenticeship, internship or school partnership efforts? l Are current staffing plans resilient if graduate supply tightens over the next several years?
The proposed rule does not directly regulate spas, but its potential downstream effect on hiring makes workforce planning an important near-term consideration.
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