Swedish spa expert Anna Bjurstam – who led a recent Global Spa & Wellness Summit (GSWS) survey which highlighted the lack of educated spa professionals – has praised the University of Derby Buxton in the UK for providing the “best spa management training in the world.”

An SRI International Report in 2012 revealed that worldwide, 180,000 people work as spa managers while there are only 4,000 students enrolled in spa management degree programmes. In response a GSWS committee was formed with a sub-committee producing a ‘snapshot’ of career trends today.

Bjurstam – who owns Raison d’Etre Spas, is vice president of Six Senses Spas and who has advised in setting up spas in 60 countries – hailed Buxton University as “a pioneer in spa management internationally” thanks to its methods which include students receiving hands-on experience in real-world work situations.

“If the industry knew how good your students are, then they would be standing in line to employ them,” said Bjurstam speaking at the 2013 Buxton Spa and Wellness Conference (BSWS). “I’ve studied the educational market and I believe that Buxton is doing this better than any University in the world.”

The university – which combines on-the-job training with academic studies – had this year beaten both Oxford and Cambridge in a league table of graduates gaining work within six months of receiving their degrees in spa management, culinary arts, sports and outdoor leadership.

“It’s not just about running a spa,” continued Bjurstam. “It’s about giving treatments. That’s such an important factor, knowing what it’s like to do eight hours of massage, five days a week. You can’t understand it unless you’ve done it.”