VTCT Skills – FAQs

Technical Qualifications

Technical Qualifications at Level 2 (Technical Certificates) have been developed for the purpose of leading learners to sustainable and worthwhile employment in their chosen service sector. They can also be a progression to Level 3 Technical Level Qualifications which lead directly to employment opportunities.

Apprenticeships

VTCT offers Professional Apprenticeship Standards for Hairdressing and Barbering and Beauty Therapy, Nail Technician and Beauty Counter Consultancy. These replace the SASE system and have been created as a result of the Trailblazer process where employers, professional associations and awarding organisations have come together to create a fit for purpose Apprenticeship.

Vocationally Related Qualifications (VRQs)

VRQs offer different levels which focus on the development of the underlying principals and practical skills required in varying industries. They are designed to deliver a high level of occupational capability and progression into employment. The flexible structures ensure they will appeal to individuals in full time or part time education, as well as continuous professional development.

National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs)

NVQs are qualifications that are usually completed in the workplace. One of the benefits of a NVQ is that they test your ability to actually do the job, which makes them suitable to take whilst in work. A key part of your course will include proving that you can do certain work-related tasks. During the course you will be assessed through your portfolio, where you build evidence of the work you have done, and by observation, where an assessor watches you work and checks that you can perform the necessary tasks.

Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs)

SVQ is the Scottish equivalent of NVQ’s

Functional Skills

Functional Skills are qualifications in English, maths and ICT that support you to develop the practical skills you need for life, education and the workplace.

Qualifications on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) are levelled from Entry to Level 8. VTCT Skills offers vocational qualifications up to level 7 and the level you require will depend on your previous education and experience and what you are trying to achieve.

Our career section may assist you.

VTCT Skills qualifications are designed for progression to higher level qualifications or to make learners ready for employment.

Total Qualification Time (TQT) is a term used within qualifications regulated by Ofqual as part of the Regulated Qualification Framework (RQF). It aims to provide users of qualifications with an indication of the minimum length of time it would take the average learner to complete their qualification. Some qualifications may have credit values – 1 credit is equivalent to 10 hours TQT.

Guided Learning Hours (GLH) are defined as all times when a member of staff is present to give specific guidance towards the learning aim being studied on a programme. They include lectures, tutorials and supervised study in, for example, Open Learning Centres and learning workshops. It also includes time spent by staff assessing a learner’s achievements, for example in the assessment of competence for National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ’s). It does not include time spent by staff in the day-to-day marking of assignments and homework where the learner is not present, nor does it include hours where supervision is of a general nature and is not specific to the study of Learners.

GLH can be useful for administrative purposes: for people who are funding qualifications, planning curricula, or performance tables; or for employers who want to have an idea of how long their employees are going to be away from the workplace for study purposes. No learner is required to take a certain amount of time; some may take less and some may take more time. Qualifications can sit at different levels, but require similar or different amounts of study and assessment time.

Our service and qualification registration fees can be found in our price guide. 

Please reach out to VTCT Skills Quality Assurance at qualityassurance@vtctskills.org.uk for assistance.  

For new sector approvals, complete the ‘Application to Broaden Qualification Scope to New Sector’ in the, Document Library and submit it to approval@vtctskills.org.uk

If you are looking to add additional qualifications within a sector you are already approved for, please do not use this form. Instead, simply email Approvals directly on the address above.

Learner registrations can be completed via secure login to Linx2Online. Guidance and videos are available on the Linx2Online page. 

Contact registration@vtctskills.org.uk giving details – please try to include learner ID

Notify VTCT Skills immediately by completing an assessment enquiry form. VTCT Skills will give instructions for the steps to take. 

You can find your lifetime registration number on any certificate you have been awarded. If you do not have it, contact our customer support team, who will be happy to provide it. Your registration number is useful when requesting replacement or e-certificates, or when changing centres to ensure accurate registration. 

Contact: +44 (0) 2380 684500 

A portfolio is a collection of evidence that verifies your competency in completing your qualification. Not all VTCT Skills qualifications require a portfolio—your centre will guide you on what’s necessary. Portfolios can be compiled as hardcopy evidence or as an e-portfolio. Typically, the portfolio becomes your property at the end of your course to share with potential employers. 

Note: There may be instances when a centre cannot release the portfolio at the time of your request—this should be discussed directly with your centre. 

More information about replacement certificates can be found in our Knowledge Base.

VTCT Skills accredits centres to offer our qualifications. To find information on course costs you would need to contact an accredited centre directly.

To find out which centres are approved to offer a particular qualification:

1. Search for the qualification you are interested in
2. Click find a place to study
3. Enter your location to find a centre near you

VTCT accredits centres to offer our qualifications. To find information course durations you will need to contact an accredited centre directly.

To find out which centres are approved to offer a particular qualification:

1. Search for the qualification you are interested in
2. Click find a place to study
3. Enter your location to find a centre near you

VTCT Skills retains addresses and postcodes submitted during registration. Updating your address with your current college or centre ensures that certificates are sent to the correct location and helps us verify Unique Learner Numbers (ULNs) and names. Make sure to inform your centre directly if you change your address during your study period. 

Recognition of Prior Leaning (RPL) is a method of assessment that considers whether you can demonstrate that you can meet the assessment requirements for a unit in a qualification through knowledge, understanding or skills that you already possess and do not need to develop through a course of learning.

You may possess skills and knowledge that have not been acquired through formal learning, (e.g., through work experience and/or other related learning that has not been formally certificated). This means that you may be able to proceed directly to assessment without further study, using evidence from un-certificated learning.

You must speak with college/centre if you think the above may apply and they will advise you.

If you’ve completed certain units, your centre may be able to apply for unit credit certificates. This service may involve additional fees, and eligibility varies depending on the qualification structure (e.g., synoptic or overarching assessments). 

Yes, practising on real clients is an essential part of training, but having appropriate treatment liability insurance is crucial. Your centre’s insurance typically covers you during training, but it’s wise to have personal insurance as you transition to professional practice. 

If you come across any information suggesting fraudulent certification, you can confidentially report this to the VTCT Skills Chief Academic Officer. Rest assured, your identity will not be disclosed to your centre. 

Note: Mark correspondence as ‘Confidential.’ 

If your VTCT Skills-approved centre closes or goes into administration, contact Customer Support or Quality Assurance for guidance and assistance as an affected learner. 

• customersupport@vtctskills.org.uk
• qualityassurance@vtctskills.org.uk

Yes. Please visit our Badges page for further information.

Complete and submit the enquiry form on our Become a Centre page.

You will then be contacted by a Business Development Manager to discuss your plans (during busy periods this may be up to 4 weeks). Following successful discussions, you will be invited to complete and submit a full application form, available from your Business Development Manager.

Full details can be found on our “Become a centre” page.

The time taken to undertake an approval can vary significantly however an average enquiry should take 6 – 8 weeks to get from the point of application submission to final confirmation.

Our qualifications assessed via continual assessment require that you employ an appropriately qualified Assessor and Internal Quality Assurer (these roles cannot be held by the same member of staff).

In addition another team member will be required to fulfil the role of Exam Invigilator, so as to maintain the impartiality of the Assessor and IQA.

You can find details of the qualifications required for Assessors and IQA’s in the VTCT Centre Qualifications Requirements document.

Qualifications assessed by Final Examination have no requirement for an appropriately qualified IQA. Assessor education and experience requirements can be found IQA’s in the VTCT Centre Qualifications Requirements document.

No, the Assessor and Internal Quality Assurer (IQA) roles must be undertaken by separate individuals to ensure oversight and validation of the other’s judgments.

Not all roles need to be nominated during the initial application, but approval cannot be granted until all staff are approved. 

You can see our recommended equipment requirements in our VCT Skills Centre Qualification Requirements document.

Unfortunately, we are unable to support or provide any direct assistance with the process of securing government funding.

Government Funding

There are different Government funding options depending on the age of the learners. All of the Government funding options require you to become a registered provider with the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) and then tender for funding. To use any funding, you either need to have a direct contract to deliver or a sub-contract with a provider who has a direct contract with the ESFA. If you are successful at becoming a registered provider and getting a contract for funding, you will be subject to Ofsted inspection which is very rigorous. You will need to consider whether your organisation is ready to take that step.

The first steps are to get a UKPRN number and the website is here – https://www.ukrlp.co.uk/ The registration button is at the top right hand side. You will also need a valid Information Commissioner’s Office registration number for education and training – https://ico.org.uk/registration/new

Advanced Learner Loans

To become an approved provider, colleges and training organisations must be in receipt of an advanced learner loans facility agreement with the Education and Skills Funding Agency. Advanced learner loans facility agreements are only issued following formal selection processes. The Education and Skills Funding Agency uses its weekly Update newsletter to advertise new opportunities for providers to express an interest in having a loan facility, as and when such opportunities arise.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/24-advanced-learning-loans-an-overview

On submission of your become a centre enquiry form, a dedicated account manager will be assigned to review your enquiry and collaborate with you to support you through your application.