Awarding organisation and education company ink new deal to improve learner experience

Specialist awarding organisation VTCT has signed a new deal with education technology company Pivot Point International, in a move to improve learner experience and raise the standard of training in the hair and beauty sectors.

The announcement comes in response to research conducted by VTCT, which aimed to discover the needs of its main client base. Results from the feedback, which included responses from assessors, verifiers, and teachers, demonstrated that blended learning is top of the list in training methods, with 86% of respondents preferring to use a mix of different tools for learning, including digital and print.

To meet the desires of customers, VTCT has collaborated with Pivot Point, an international publisher and provider of education resources for the hairdressing and beauty industries. Its Salonability resource, a training programme developed for the UK, features print and online support that covers the hairdressing and barbering national occupational standards.

Originally launched five years ago, an updated Online Salonability programme will launch in September 2017 as a joint project between the two companies. VTCT centres, including tutors and learners, will have free access to the training programme, which will include Levels 2 and 3 Ladies Hairdressing, and Levels 2 and 3 Barbering.

Marcus Bull, CCO at VTCT, commented: “Feedback from our research clearly shows that the ability to deliver blended learning is most desired amongst learning providers. The rapid advancement of technology means awarding organisations must adapt by anticipating and listening to the market’s needs. VTCT has been at the forefront of this, even acquiring edtech specialist Digital Assess last year. Coordinating with Pivot Point will allow us to continue expanding our offerings to clients, improving the learning experience and surpassing our already high standards.” 

Jan Laan, Pivot Point’s Vice President for International Business Developments, added: “Pivot Point is very pleased with the collaboration with VTCT. The synergies it provides to colleges around the UK & Ireland is significant, bundling VTCT’s expertise with Pivot Point, to the benefit of teachers and learners. We are committed to keeping its resources current through annual updates, always integrating the best practice pedagogical methodologies.”

Vocational Training Charitable Trust (VTCT) is a specialist AO offering vocational and technical qualifications in a range of service sectors. Its acquisition of internationally recognised AO, ITEC, last year added to its specialist offering in the hairdressing, barbering and beauty therapy industries.