Skincare company Skin Authority is to launch an online institute in January 2011.

Called the Skin Authority Institute, it will offer training and development programmes to aesthetics professionals around the world via a series of interactive and online classes.

Therapists can take the classes from their homes, at the times they choose, and will be able to earn advanced certificates of achievement in a wide range of skincare conditions, treatment disciplines and retailing skills.

Skin Authority's CEO, Celeste Hilling, who designed the programme, said: "Many skincare professionals today are single parents or are lacking the financial means and the time outside of work to continue their education.

"In addition, many spas are finding it harder to offset the time and cost of employee training. The institute will give spa professionals real-world business tools to meet the challenges of today's skincare industry." Details: skinauthority.com