VTCT holds conference to support hair and beauty industry

Hair and beauty educators attended the VTCT Conference this May at BeautyUK in Birmingham. The conference gave delegates the chance to find out about the future of the Qualification and Credit Framework (QCF) and the future of vocational qualifications following The Wolf Report commissioned by the Government.

The VTCT Raising Future Standards Conference was even bigger than last year with key speakers including Francis Thomas, Director of Internal and External Affairs, Ofqual and Gareth Griffiths, Head of Curriculum and Qualifications Policy, Young People's Learning Agency.

Francis explained that Ofqual has just completed a full evaluation of the QCF, which will be published soon. They found that elements of the system could be simplified and work will be carried out through 2011 to design and develop a single framework to accommodate credit based and other qualifications.

Gareth gave a through explanation of the The Wolf Report what it discovered and the suggestions it raised. The Department of Education will be releasing the Governments response to the report.

Our very own External Verifier, Jeanette Castles owner of The Therapy Learning Centre gave delegates an insight into full cost training and how colleges can incorporate this in their own educational offer.

Following a lunch break and opportunity to visit BeautyUK, delegates had CPD training from two very well known industry experts. The hairdressers were delighted by Simon Shaw, European Artistic Director of Wahl’s demonstration of a cut using only clippers and the beauty therapists watched in marvel at the theatrical make up created on stage by two students from North Warwickshire and North Hinckley College using make up from leading skin specialist Skin by Sterex.

Caroline Dyer, Programme Manager, The College of West Anglia said, “The speakers were very relevant to today and gave updates on the current education system. I thought it was fantastic we had the opportunity to meet VTCT’s Chief Executive Stephen Vickers and the chance to find out the future of VTCT.”

Susan Woodall, Hairdressing & Key Skill coordinator Craven College said, “I found the speakers very interesting and the demos were excellent”

BeautyUK was an extremely busy exhibition this year and the amount of participants in the beauty and related therapies competition for WorldSkills UK proved this. The competitions sponsored by VTCT, were of a very high standard this year and the winners created some incredible creatures and demonstrations of beauty treatments. Learner, Cara Hayward from Radbrook Campus, Shrewsbury College of Arts and Technology said, “WorldSkills UK is an amazing experience to use the skills I have learnt over the past two years in beauty therapy. It has taught me how to work under pressure, to deadlines and to raise the standard of my work”.

VTCT was delighted by the success of the conference, the exhibition and the WorldSkills UK. The involvement in the industry events continue to further VTCT’s specialisation in raising the standards of Beauty Therapy and Hairdressing.