VLCC to set up health institute in Ahmedabad

Having set up three centres in Gujarat, VLCC Health Care is now setting its sights on education services in the state.

The company, engaged in the slimming, beauty and fitness business, will soon set up an educational institute offering diploma and certificate courses in beauty and nutrition at Ahmedabad.

The company plans to launch its VLCC Institute of Beauty, Health and Management by March 2008.

A vocational training academy, it will offer two-year, one-year and six-month courses in basic and advanced studies of skin and hair, science of cosmetics, basic and advanced makeup techniques, aromatherapy, salon management and electrology.

It will also provide training in nail art and nail extension, body art and body tattoos.

"We plan to set up four institutes in Gujarat in three years considering the rapid lifestyle changes and economic growth in the state," said Yogesh Sethi, CEO-Services and Education Business Indian Sub-Continent-VLCC Health Care Ltd.

At present, the company has set up 15 institutes and will soon take the number to 33 across the country.

The institutes have trained close to 5,000 students so far and are expected to train 40,000 students in the next three years.

The company owns 18 centres and has taken the franchisee route for the other centres. Each centre will involve an investment of between Rs 25 lakh and Rs 75 lakh depending on the city.

The total investment into the venture has been around Rs 25 crore and a similar amount is likely to be invested in the next three years, said Sethi.

The company has also been conducting certificate programmes in beauty, health and nutrition with state governments where it has signed an agreement with the Madhya Pradesh government and is in talks with three more states.