VTCT Skills, an educational charity dedicated to advancing vocational skills through high-quality education and training, has officially launched its Indian entity, marking a significant milestone in its international growth strategy and reinforcing its commitment to skills development and workforce mobility across India’s expanding sectors.
The launch was celebrated at The Taj Mahal Hotel, New Delhi, where VTCT Skills hosted industry leaders, sector experts, and strategic partners for an exclusive leadership dinner.
The new entity represents a long-term investment in India, building on existing partnerships while creating new opportunities for education providers, employers, and learners to access internationally recognised qualifications and quality assurance. VTCT Skills also reaffirmed its commitment to working alongside training providers, industry stakeholders, and government representatives to support the development of a highly skilled workforce.
The leadership dinner featured keynote addresses from representatives of the British High Commission and the Policy and Development Advisory Group (PDAG), highlighting the value of international collaboration in advancing skills development and professional standards. A key milestone of the evening was the signing of an agreement with LTA School of Beauty, reinforcing VTCT Skills’ commitment to developing long-term partnerships that support quality education and training across India.
Commenting on the launch, Stuart Skinner, International Development Director, said: “Professional Beauty India was a great opportunity for us to launch and showcase the importance of international certification to the Indian Beauty and Wellness sector. Many of the conversations over the two days focused on growing customer demand for higher professional standards, influenced by travel and social media. As the international market leader for hair and beauty qualifications, our qualifications are recognised by employers around the world as the benchmark of competence.”
The successful launch reinforces VTCT Skills’ ambition to become a trusted partner for skills development in India, with plans to expand its presence through strategic partnerships and continued engagement with the sector throughout 2026.
VC ACADEMY BRINGS GLOBAL SALON BUSINESS INSIGHTS TO INDIA WITH GARY ROM
VC Academy welcomed internationally renowned salon business expert Gary Rom to Mumbai for the latest edition of VC Open House. This educational event held on July 7, 2026, focused on strengthening the business side of the salon industry. Bringing together salon owners, managers, educators and senior hairstylists from across the country, the event explored leadership, client experience, retail performance, team development and sustainable business growth.
Curated by Vipul Chudasama, Founder & Creative Director of VC Academy, the programme moved beyond technical education to highlight the systems and strategies that drive long-term success. Celebrity hairstylist Aalim Hakim and Rebecca Samuel of VURVE Salon were among the notable attendees. Through interactive discussions, case studies, and practical exercises, Rom shared actionable insights drawn from more than four decades of global experience. The event reaffirmed VC Academy’s commitment to equipping India’s salon professionals with world-class business education, with the next edition of VC Open House scheduled for 16 November 2026.
EMPOWERING THROUGH BEAUTY: 100 WOMEN COMPLETE VOCATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAMME
Apne Aap Women’s Collective (AAWC), with support from SBI Foundation, felicitated 100 women on successfully completing its Beautician Training Programme at a ceremony held on 10 July, 2026. Designed for women from Mumbai’s red-light districts, including Kamathipura, Falkland Road, and Turbhe, the initiative equips participants with professional beauty and wellness skills while promoting economic independence and social inclusion.
Beyond technical training, the programme covers communication, customer service, workplace etiquette, confidence building and entrepreneurship, preparing women for employment or self-employment in the beauty industry. Participants also benefit from healthcare, financial literacy, access to welfare schemes, and well-being programmes as part of the wider initiative. Several graduates have already begun offering beauty services through a training facility established by AAWC with SBI Foundation’s support. The programme reflects a shared commitment to creating sustainable livelihood opportunities, and empowering women to build safer, more dignified and financially independent futures through vocational education.