Funding boost for NEET Families

The families of some of Exeter’s young NEETs (Not in Education, Employment or Training) are to benefit from over £24,000 sponsorship provided by the Vocational Training Charitable Trust (VTCT), a specialist awarding body offering vocational qualifications.

The money will enable eight parents and carers of Hair@theAcademy students to study a Level One Course in Hair and Beauty at the training salon based within Exeter Royal Academy for Deaf Education.

Eight NEET young people are already studying a Diploma in Hair & Beauty and a Level 1 course in Customer Services thanks to a contract with Devon Adult and Community Learning, which began in September. Now their families will have a chance to get involved too.

“We want to help break down some of the barriers within families,” says Mary Pugsley, Hair@theAcademy Tutor.
“Hair and Beauty courses provide a route in, building on a shared interest to generate discussions, whilst also providing accredited training which could lead to future employment,” she adds. The sponsorship provides access to counselling support.

“VTCT sees this initiative as wholly in keeping with our mission of giving people an opportunity to develop their skills and knowledge to improve their lives,” says Dr Stephen Vickers, VTCT Chief Executive. “We are delighted to be able to work with the Royal Academy for Deaf Education and the County on this initiative.”

The sponsorship from VTCT will help Hair@theAcademy to develop its provision through additional staff training and new IT equipment, which will enable students to create electronic portfolios of their work.