City of Liverpool College hosts VTCT & local MP

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The City of Liverpool College welcomed Dame Louise Ellman MP recently during a visit to meet Alan Woods OBE, Chief Executive of the Vocational Training Charitable Trust (VTCT) along with number of learners who are studying for VTCT's qualifications and apprenticeships in Level 2 Hairdressing, Beauty Therapy and Barbering.

Elaine Bowker, Principal at the College, was also on hand along with the team that deliver VTCT's technical qualifications and apprenticeships to learners.

During their visit, Dame Louise and Alan discussed the importance of technical education to the UK's economy, and the crucial role it can play in tackling poverty and deprivation. They also took the opportunity to watch Level 2 Hairdressing, Beauty Therapy and Barbering students in action, testing out their skills in training. 

Ofsted recently revealed that Level 2 service industry courses including beauty and hair were identified by colleges as giving learners the ‘greatest chance' of progressing into employment. During their visit,  Dame Louise and Alan had the opportunity to hear first-hand why so many young people are choosing to start a career in this sector, which is a thriving space for young aspirational professionals seeking a long-term career in the industry. 

Commenting on her visit, Dame Louise Ellman, MP for Liverpool, Riverside, said:

“It was great to look around the College's hair and beauty training facilities and find out more about how VTCT's technical qualifications and apprenticeships are upskilling learners in my constituency.  

“Providing our young people with high quality education and technical training is crucial to ensuring they have the skills they need to take up new jobs in our economy, to boosting social mobility in areas that have been left behind and to tackling the UK's marked skills gap.

“…We must drive a culture shift to promote technical qualifications and apprenticeships as valuable routes into rewarding careers.”

Alan Woods OBE, Chief Executive of VTCT, added:

“The Government must lead from the top by promoting the value of technical and vocational education, and by making sure that colleges like The City of Liverpool College, and the employers they works with, are able to fund and accommodate the three-month work placement requirement of the new T Levels.

“This will be crucial in ensuring that the Government's post-16 Skills Plan achieves its intention of delivering lasting change within our technical education and apprenticeships system.” 

Liverpool Riverside MP, Dame Louise Ellman (centre) is pictured with VTCT Chairman Alan Woods OBE; City of Liverpool College Head of School, Hair and Beauty, Helen Farrow; and VTCT Regional Business Development Manager Kate Rolf along with members of The City of Liverpool College Hair & Beauty team.