Central Training Group is the biggest NVQ Level 2 hairdressing provider in the UK City & Guilds announced recently..   It has been delivering high quality training for over 25 years, starting with just 15 learners,  now training over 1500 learners across London, Essex and Hertfordshire.  The quality of training has been judged by OFSTED as a Grade 2 and as being in the top 10% of training providers and colleges across the country.

The Academy now offers a variety of programmes including; School Project, a programme for those learners interested in hairdressing and related industries in beauty and media.  The programme is designed to help these learners achieve key stage 4. Qualifications available to learners include Salon Services and Level 1 Hairdressing.  Salon Services is an introduction to hairdressing, learners learn basic skills using doll heads.  Hairdressing Level 1 allows learners to practice hairdressing skills on clients in a salon. Currently we work closely with The Hub – Tower Hamlets, Islington 14-19 Partnership, Hackney Learning Trust, flexible Learning Programme, Camden Education Business partnership and Youth Offending & Youth Connexions Services.

Entry to Employment (E2E)
We are the largest provider of E2E across London.  The programme is aimed at those learners who are not engaging in post-16 education have the opportunity to attend one of our academies in London and Essex, where they have the opportunity to progress to an apprenticeship, further education or employment with training.  Contract year 2008/09 79% of learners  successfully completed all aspects of the E2E programme.

Foundation Learning
A programme designed for those aged 16 - 19 interested either in Hairdressing and Beauty or Business and Creative IT. The Foundation Learning programme is delivered in London and Essex where learners can progress to a hairdressing or business apprenticeship.

Work Based Learning is a programme we offer through Apprenticeships and Adult Apprenticeships.  This allows the learner to gain real experience in their chosen working environment and gain a nationally recognised qualification.  We offer this programme across London and Essex, training is delivered on one full day on a bi-weekly basis.  Contract year 2008/09 saw an impressive 61% of Apprenticeship learners achieve a full Framework.

Further Education courses are available at selected academies.  All FE learners are classed as full-time learners and attend college for at least fifteen hours per week (normally 2-3 days per week).  Excellent employment links are essential for this and other programmes we run, currently we have over 1000 employer contacts.  Contract year 2008/09 saw the following success rates: Hairdressing Level 1 72%, Hairdressing Level 2 79%, Design Support Level 2 78% and Graphic Design Level 3 100%.

The variety of programmes available at Central Training Group are provided in the following courses: Salon Services, Hairdressing Level 1 and 2 NVQ, Level 2 NVQ Barbering, Level 2 and 3 NVQ Customer Service, Level 2 and 3 NVQ Business and Administration, Level 2 NVQ Team Leading and Level 3 NVQ Graphic Design Courses including Level 2 Design Support/Junior Designer and Management, Level 3 Graphic Design and Assessors Award (A Award).

'A' Award is designed to offer those individuals who are, or will be, concerned with assessing learners taking National Vocational Qualifications, a programme of training in skills, techniques and principles of assessing competency using a variety of assessment methods. Contract year 2008/09 100% achievement rate.  

Alongside our courses learners may require further help in achieving Functional Skills (basic skills and key skills) to complete their apprenticeship framework, we have a dedicated skills team to deliver quality training in Maths, English and ICT and deliver the skills either on site or assessors deliver at the learners place of work.  Those completed ALN and Non ALN had a success rate of 47% and 61% respectively in 2008/09.  The Non ALN rate showcases a 5% improvement from the previous contract year.

To encourage learners to achieve we understand there may be external factors that may disrupt or prolong their achievement, therefore, we offer a mentoring service. Qualified mentors are based at all our sites in London and Essex to provide support and guidance to those who are experiencing problems either at college, in-work or at home that could affect their course progression.  All information passed onto our mentors are dealt in the strictest confidence.  Regular support is given to the learner and access to external support if needed.

On completion of the learners apprenticeship training we hold regular graduation events.  A  celebration for not only the learners but for work providers, managers, family members and Academy assessors recognising the apprentices for their hard work and dedication.  In the past we have co-hosted the event with high profile industry individuals.