Massage schools, chains respond to high demand for therapists - The Sun Current

[massage]

Massage chains such as Massage Envy and Elements Massage,along with spas and country clubs, are looking to hire more massage therapists to meet the growing demand. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for qualified massage therapists is expected to grow 23 percent by 2022. This is due to a nationally-increased interest in health, wellness and the role massage plays in that effort.

“Back [in 1992] when we started our school, massage therapy was thought of as a non-mainstream career,” said Cari Johnson Pelava, co-director of CenterPoint Massage & Shiatsu Therapy School in St. Louis Park. “We never thought we’d get to a point where there’s a shortage of therapists.”

According to Johnson Pelava, many schools are now offering shortened, apprentice-style programs. St. Paul College and Minnesota School of Business/Globe University are two colleges working to put people directly to work after only a one-year education.

“One of the reasons massage therapy grew in popularity is due to the rise in accessibility,” Johnson Pelava said. “It’s more convenient now that they’re next to grocery stores and other common places, and it’s more affordable for the average person.”

Johnson Pelava said that she’s receiving about five emails per day letting her know about openings in the field.

“It’s not like we have a list of students looking for jobs, though,” Johnson Pelava said.

Though there could be many reasons for the shortage, Johnson Pelava said she attributes it mostly to the fear of financial aid today.

“Many young people are concerned about paying back their college debt […], but massage school is not the same as a four-year university,” she said. “The loans are smaller, and there are great careers out there.”

Johnson Pelava said she and the school staff are trying to spread the word about the shortage by using more advertising.

“We have a sign off of the freeway, and most of our marketing is online,” Johnson Pelava said. “Unemployment in Minnesota is pretty low right now, but we like to remind people that if they’re unhappy with their current job, they change it and still make a good income.”

Johnson Pelava said that CenterPoint gets many students from around the metro area and out of state, including people who have left corporate positions.

Chains such as Massage Envy have altered their business in order to keep up with the rising demand, Johnson Pelava said.

“People have told me that they’re allowing more flexible scheduling, paying better and giving more benefits to try to gain more employees,” she said. “They say many stores could have about 30 percent more business if they hired a few more therapists.”

Contact Michelle Doeden at [email protected]

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