For the second year in a row, Vocational Training Charitable Trust (VTCT) has gifted bursary funding for Eastleigh College to invest in the latest professional kitchen and salon equipment for the benefit of the learners. VTCT awarded £2500 to Hospitality and £2500 to Hair & Beauty.

As a specialist awarding and assessment organisation, VTCT changes lives with vocational and technical qualifications that develop and recognise world-class skills in a range of service sector careers. Eastleigh College is an approved training centre delivering VTCT qualifications in Hospitality and Hair & Beauty.

Kelly Small, curriculum manager for Hair & Beauty said: “Thank you VTCT so much for the bursary – it is vital we keep updating our equipment to give our students the best experience possible and we are now putting a wish list together to see how best to invest the funds.”

Sue Lyons is the Hospitality & Catering curriculum manager and manager/assessor of the Eastleigh College East Avenue Restaurant. She said: “We are delighted with the professional food mixers we bought with our half share of the £5000 bursary. The learners have used them no end over the last few weeks making Christmas goodies. This bursary provides a valuable addition to our industry standard learning environment, which all learners can use and appreciate.”

Lou Gittens, Head of Curriculum and Vice Principal of Eastleigh College said: “We are deeply grateful for the generosity of VTCT that has enabled our Hair & Beauty and Hospitality departments to continue to invest in the equipment they need to provide a great learning experience. Our learners will play a pivotal role in the economic recovery post-Covid-19 and this funding ensures more people can experience the tools and techniques they need to get ahead.”