Vtct bursary programme supports over 850 disadvantaged leaners

The VTCT Grant and Bursary Programme has supported over 850 learners in the most disadvantaged areas during the past academic year (2019/20), reveals a recent report from the organisation. Designed by the VTCT board of trustees in November 2019, the Grant and Bursary Programme selected 15 training providers to receive a grant of £5,000 each to support learners who may be disadvantaged and would not otherwise have had the means to study. The VTCT Annual Impact Report, focused primarily on the work of training providers, employers and learners during COVID-19, was released on 25 January 2021 and covered the positive work of the programme, which allowed for over 850 learners to successfully complete their Vocational Qualifications despite the ongoing pandemic. A representative from one of the fifteen training providers to be awarded a bursary explained: “Cardiff and Vale College has the highest level of deprivation in Wales out of all other colleges with 30% of learners living in poverty. Attending an inner-city college and starting a new course creates barriers for some of our hardest to reach learners.” At the launch event, then VTCT chair Dr. Chris Law further said: “We’re keen to ensure that our resources are used to support learners from all backgrounds that may face challenges in gaining access to learning.” Other statistics from the report include that 44,489 learners were awarded with a regulated VTCT qualification in the last academic year; and that, in combination with iTEC, 1,654 centres had been reached. Speaking more broadly about the year, chief executive Alan Woods OBE shared: “As for many, this last academic year was a supremely challenging year for VTCT. During the lockdown we worked tirelessly with our centre colleagues, pulling out all the stops to support learners world-wide.” He continued: “This impact report illustrates the resilience of training providers and employers. It focuses on their stories and the work they do that allows a learner to achieve their goals. Learners are at the heart of everything we do at VTCT.” This follows the news that VTCT recently appointed a new chair and vice chair for the Board of Trustees.