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VTCT response to DFE announcement on T Levels

Today, Robert Halfon, the Minister of State for Skills, Apprenticeships and Higher Education announced that the Department for Education (DfE) has made the decision not to roll out the Hairdressing, Barbering and Beauty Therapy (HBBT) T Level from September 2024 as originally intended. Instead, they will explore the development of a T Level which focuses solely on the Beauty sector, aiming for this to be introduced after 2025.  

 This move comes after feedback from, and extensive consultation with individuals within the hairdressing and barbering industry aiming to determine the most effective path for learners to acquire the knowledge necessary for successful careers.  As an awarding organisation, VTCT is dedicated to supporting our industries to advance by ensuring that our products are in line with the needs of employers and industry-leaders.  Taking this into consideration, the decision to redirect resources toward the exploration of a T Level for Level 3 Beauty Therapy whilst maintaining our hairdressing and barbering qualification and apprenticeship offer, aligns with the aspirations of the sector and its stakeholders.  

 VTCT has been a passionate supporter of the hairdressing and beauty industries, fostering its growth through robust vocational qualifications and apprenticeships ranging from level 2 to level 5. Our priority is to ensure that these pathways remain innovative and have the tools to create a pipeline of new talent alongside any proposed new T Level in Level 3 Beauty Therapy. 

 Alan Woods OBE, Chief Executive of VTCT, said:  “Whilst we understand the work and preparation that has already gone into creating the T Level, VTCT’s core purpose has always been to support learners to obtain a qualification giving a direct line of sight to a job. We believe the most effective way to achieve this is by listening to the voices of our industries and actively implementing their recommendations. We are proud to see this ethos being reflected with the T Level and look forward to progressing with the new route announced by the Department for Education.”