Innovation, strength and heritage
In 1962, VTCT’s founder started the UK’s first beauty training school, Du Barry International. One year later, he revolutionised the approach and professionalism towards this new industry, introducing the role of ‘beauty therapist’ and setting up the first professional association for beauty therapists, which included a new examination system entitled the Society of Health and Beauty Therapists.
The success of this new system gained momentum and was recognised and joined by colleges worldwide; in the 1970s, the International Health and Beauty Council (IHBC) was established as the market leader. Later, the IHBC became a charity, renamed the Vocational Training Charitable Trust (VTCT) (vtct.org.uk).
The services to people and health and wellbeing sectors are continuously evolving, as are the requirements for qualifications to support those entering and progressing within the sectors. That’s why we partner with employers and our customers to co-create industry-recognised, high-quality, innovative qualifications and assessments that address specific markets' needs. We are committed to outstanding technical and customer support and thrive on long-standing relationships with our customers, ensuring our training providers grow and their learners succeed.
We have continued to adapt over the years to keep up with the external world, the changing needs of the sector, advances in technology, and related sectors' growth, such as aesthetics. We want to see how we can further evolve and support businesses and individuals, balancing our vital work in the UK with our overseas markets.
Over time we have continued to drive our “heritage” sectors. Our VTCT footprint has evolved more broadly into health and wellbeing, which, in addition to beauty therapy, now includes hairdressing and barbering, health and fitness, complementary therapies and medical aesthetics.
In 2016, VTCT acquired its long-standing competitor, iTEC (itecworld.co.uk), forming a powerful alliance under the control of the VTCT Board. ITEC’s strong international focus, external examiner approach, and portfolio of graded qualifications have further strengthened VTCT’s position as the market leader in these sectors.
And we have grown again…
At the beginning of March 2022, VTCT acquired the Awarding and Apprenticeship Assessment Organisation, Skillsfirst (skillsfirst.co.uk). Skillsfirst delivers several qualifications and apprenticeship assessments with market-leading positions in Health and Social Care, Children and Young People. It has also genuinely transformed the qualifications market with remote invigilation of Functional Skills Assessments in Maths and English and developing innovative qualifications such as LGBTQIA+ inclusion qualifications for different occupational sectors.
Some of the key employers Skillsfirst works with include DHL, BT, SAGE, Busy Bees and Kidz Planet.
In June 2023, the VTCT group expanded further by acquiring Skills for Logistics (skillsforlogistics.co.uk). Skills for Logistics is the largest sector specialist organisation with an extensive customer base, enjoying a 25% apprenticeship assessment total market share with a wide range of logistics apprenticeships, including LGV Drivers, Supply Chain Warehouse Operatives, Supply Chain Practitioner, International Freight Forwarding and Commercial Procurement and Supply.
We believe there are many opportunities to grow the activities of all companies in the group to meet our ambition of a £15m+ turnover charity serving over 150,000 learners worldwide by 2026. Our financial progress and statements can be found at: VTCT - Charity Commission
