I know it can get quite confusing when you are a newbie and are not sure which one to go for. There are a few different awarding bodies for holistic/complementary qualifications, you may have heard of VTCT, IIHHT, ITEC, BABTEC etc etc. Well it is quite simple, they all accredit qualifications and they are all very similar.

Who are VTCT?

Many college run VTCT qualifications as do we here at the Massage Academy. VTCT stands for Vocational Training Charitable Trust, which also incorporates IIHHT.

VTCT is a Government approved Awarding Body offering National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs), Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs) and other Vocationally Related Qualifications (VRQs). The fact that is has been in existence for over 40 years means that it has been at the forefront of developing the vocational system of qualifications in the United Kingdom, which we feel is very important and their qualifications are internationally recognized.

To find out more go to: www.vtct.org.uk/faq.htm

What is IIHHT?

VTCT incorporates provision for the Awarding Body titles of International Health and Beauty Council (IHBC), International Institute of Health and Holistic Therapies (IIHHT) and International Institute of Sports Therapy (IIST).  Therefore, when you get a VTCT qualification some Certificates have this extra badging which is a bonus as they are well known internationally and the qualifications are assessed to the same competence standards as N/SVQ's.  To find out more go to: www.vtct.org.uk/faq.htm