At Blackpool and the Fylde College, creativity, technical excellence and learner development sit at the heart of Hair and Beauty education. Delivering the Level 3 Make-Up Artistry qualification, the college provides aspiring artists with the skills, confidence and professional direction needed to succeed in a competitive and expressive industry.
Through its partnership with VTCT Skills, the college continues to enhance learner opportunities, support individual needs and raise standards within vocational education.
About the Organisation
Blackpool and the Fylde College is a well-established further education provider offering a wide range of vocational and professional qualifications. Within the Hair and Beauty sector, the college delivers industry-relevant programmes designed to equip learners with both practical expertise and creative confidence.
The Level 3 Make-Up Artistry course supports learners in developing specialist skills aligned to the demands of the hair, beauty and media industries.
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Why VTCT Skills?
For Kiran Mall and the team, choosing VTCT Skills was rooted in a key principle: flexibility and support.
“Accommodating.”
This adaptability allows the college to deliver high-quality qualifications while responding to the evolving needs of learners and the industry.
Highlights of the Partnership
One of the standout benefits of working with VTCT Skills has been the opportunities provided to enhance learners’ skills beyond the classroom.
Access to wider initiatives, competitions and progression pathways ensures students are not only achieving qualifications but also developing professionally and creatively.
Kiran also highlights the value of Continuing Professional Development (CPD):
“CPD opportunities which are excellent.”
These opportunities enable educators to stay current, inspired and aligned with industry developments — directly benefiting learners.
Supporting Learners to Overcome Challenges
Within the Hair and Beauty sector, supporting learners with individual needs is essential. VTCT Skills has played a role in helping the college ensure inclusive access and tailored support, enabling students from diverse backgrounds to succeed.
This learner-focused approach reinforces the college’s commitment to nurturing both technical ability and personal growth.
Learner Spotlight: Charlie Drinkwater
A Passion for Make-Up Artistry
Charlie Drinkwater is currently studying Level 3 Make-Up Artistry, driven by a strong passion for the hair and media industry.
For Charlie, the most enjoyable aspect of the course has been:
“The practical elements.”
The hands-on nature of the qualification allows creativity to flourish, helping Charlie develop bold, imaginative looks that tell a story.
Overcoming Personal Challenges
Charlie’s journey has required resilience and determination. As a single parent and sole carer for a son with a disability, balancing study and personal responsibilities has been challenging.
“The skills I achieved have been a challenge and given me a direction to follow through for my future.”
Despite these pressures, Charlie has remained committed to personal and professional development, using education as a pathway toward long-term career aspirations.
A Proudest Moment
A standout milestone came when Charlie achieved 1st place at the AHT competitions.
“This was most rewarding. I felt I could demonstrate the passion I have within this specialist field. It also gave me an opportunity to showcase my skills.”
The achievement validated Charlie’s hard work, creativity and dedication demonstrating the power of opportunity and belief.
Looking Ahead: Building a Creative Future
Achieving the Level 3 Make-Up Artistry qualification represents far more than gaining technical skills.
“It has proven to give me an opportunity to follow my dream career… it’s not just about getting new skills, it’s about stepping into who I am.”
College has given Charlie the confidence to embrace individuality, overcome challenges and pursue a creative life long imagined.
“No matter what challenges I face, coming to college has enabled me to have the confidence to create bold imaginative looks that tell a story.”
Charlie plans to continue building a career within the hair and media industry, developing an evolving portfolio of distinctive and expressive work.
Conclusion
Through the Level 3 Make-Up Artistry qualification and its partnership with VTCT Skills, Blackpool and the Fylde College continues to empower learners to develop creative excellence, resilience and professional direction.
For educators like Kiran Mall, the reward lies in creating opportunity and supporting diverse learner journeys. For students like Charlie Drinkwater, vocational education is not simply a qualification, it is a transformative step toward confidence, identity and a dream career in the creative industries.