Review of vocational training could boost falling beauty therapy intake

The Government has launched a year-long review into post-18 education in a bid to create better routes into vocational training. The review, supported by an independent panel and set to conclude in 2019, will examine all aspects of the framework, from student funding and fees to finances.

“The routes into further technical and vocational training today are hard to navigate, the standards across the sector are too varied and the funding available to support them is patchy”, said Prime Minister Teresa May. “Now is the time to take action.”

Many in the beauty and spa industry are hoping the review will help ease the current recruitment crisis. Alan Woods, chief executive of awarding organisation VTCT, said: “There is still a lack of focus on…the benefits which vocational and technical training provides to businesses and the wider economy. This will be a real test of the Government’s commitment to increasing the number of skills-based learners.”

Separately, qualifications body Cidesco has taken its own steps to streamline the pathways into beauty therapy by bringing its Beauty Therapy and Spa Therapy syllabi in line with the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework at Level 7/8.

This also corresponds to the European Qualifications Framework at Level 5.