VTCT expands international learner support with language assessment

Beauty qualifications awarding body, VTCT, has launched the Vocational English Language Assessment (VELA), to benefit international learners.

The AI-powered English proficiency test is designed ‘to support international learners, training providers and employers with a fast, reliable and accessible way to validate English language capability’.

VELA works by evaluating four core language skills: speaking, writing, reading and listening. The test then delivers instant results that align with the Common European Framework of References for Languages (CEFR), from A1 to C2. This provides learners and organisations with coherent, verifiable outcomes that can be understood worldwide.

In addition to traditional language assessment criteria, VELA also features industry-related content, so that learners are evaluated using language skills that align with their careers.

Priced at £15 per assessment, VELA is an online test and can be accessed anywhere. It is built with robust security and validation processes, ensuring consistency and accuracy through the use of AI-driven scoring models.

Commenting on the launch, Stuart Skinner, director of international development at VTCT Skills, says: “VELA has been developed in direct response to the challenges we see internationally around accessibility, speed and trust in English language assessment.

“By combining advanced AI technology with vocationally relevant content, we’re able to offer learners, centres and employers a practical, affordable solution that delivers reliable results in minutes, without compromising on quality or integrity.”

For more information, head to the VTCT website.