The prestigious VTCT Excellence Awards took place at Milton Keynes College on 13 July 2023. The awards exist to reinforce VTCT’s charitable objective of seeking to advance education for the benefit of the public and recognise the industry professionals that do this.
Learners and training providers were honoured for their skills and expertise, and their stories of triumph over adversity were showcased throughout.
Speaking at the event, Chief Executive of VTCT, Alan Woods OBE said: “I want to reflect upon the overwhelming emotion from the day, which is aspiration. The aspiration of the young people who try and succeed in their qualification to enter into their career. The aspiration from the training providers from the college world, the FE world and also from my colleagues and team. These people who are just trying to support that whole journey of someone trying to enter into the world of work, which is what these vocational qualifications are all about.”
The event saw students taking over the reins, with Milton Keynes College learners on-site to makeover influential figures within vocational education and the hair and beauty sector, including Corrienne Peasgood OBE and HJ’s very own Executive Director, Jayne Lewis-Orr. Additionally, guests were treated to an afternoon tea and light lunch catered by the talented students at Milton Keynes College.
The Excellence Awards marked 60 years of VTCT, bringing together the VTCT group of companies – iTEC, VTCT, Skillsfirst and Skills for Logistics – in celebration.
VTCT Excellence Awards 2023 Winners
Apprentice of the Year
Winner: Natasha Bloor, Kleek Apprenticeships
Highly Commended: Katie Bowen, Haha Training Academy and Maria Snow, Kleek Apprenticeships
Student of the Year, sponsored by Wella
Winner: Natalia Osovska, White Rose Beauty College, Chesterfield
Highly Commended: Irfana Kausar, Bedfordshire Beauty Training Academy, Louis-Ray Skillicorn-Aston, Chelmsford College, and Shamalia Samair, Learning Curve Group Wallsend Hair and Beauty Academy
Tutor/Educator of the Year, sponsored by Pivot Point
Winner: Nicola Aviolet, Kleek Apprenticeships
Highly Commended: Elizabeth Mackay, Coleg Sir Gar, and Ian Bremner, Leicester College
Independent Training Provider of the Year (Large)
Winner: Learning Curve Group
Highly Commended: Kids Planet Day Nurseries Training Academy, and Kleek Apprenticeships
Independent Training Provider of the Year (Small)
Winner: Greenhouse Therapies Ltd
Highly Commended: CS Beauty Academy Wrexham, and Hair at the Academy
College of the Year
Winner: Milton Keynes College
Highly Commended: Cardiff & Vale College, and Suffolk New College
VTCT Champion of the Year
Winner: Mary Pugsley, MBE, Hair at the Academy
Highly Commended: Robert Russell, ZISHI Cornerstone Ltd, and Sarah Artistry
Speaking of awards, have you got your entries in for our brand-new online competition SNAP!?
