VQ Day 2010
Vocational Qualifications (VQ) Day is a UK-wide celebration of vocational qualifications for students, teachers and employers.
VQ Day 2010 took place on 23 June in each capital city across the UK. In Wales, the national VQ Day celebration took place at the Pierhead, Cardiff Bay, coordinated by: ColegauCymru / CollegesWales, NTfW and the Welsh Assembly Government.
Click here to open the e-book: talents at work for great success stories from Wales. Published on 23 June 2010 to coincide with VQ Day, the e-book profiles the winners and finalists of the VQ Awards 2010 plus the significant achievements by Welsh individuals on the UK and world stage.
VQ Awards
The VQ Awards Ceremony kicked off proceedings, with Stephanie Lomax of Deeside College crowned Learner of the Year (under 25) and Mandy Blackwell of Coleg Gwent crowned Learner of the Year (25+).
The Awards, which were presented by Leighton Andrews, Minister for Children, Education and Lifelong Learning, also recognised the significant achievements of the runners up under 25: Luke Beard of Ystrad Mynach College, Russell Hicks of Dow Corning Ltd and Janine
Nutman of Coleg Gwent; and the runners up 25+: Justin Howell of Dow Corning Ltd. Hennie de Wet of Coleg Llandrillo Cymru and Alison Tanner of Coleg Sir Gâr.
The achievements of the winners, runners-up and other noteworthy success stories from Wales are published in the VQ Day e-book "Talents at Work"
Hands-on skills' demonstrations
Also on VQ Day at the Pierhead, students and trainees from further education colleges and work-based learning providers showcased a wide range of vocational skills through hands-on demonstrations. They included demonstrations of: carpentry, fitness, hair and beauty, forensics, car maintenance, construction, butchery, and theatrical make-up.
Purpose of VQ Day
There are many paths to success, and vocational qualifications are one of them. Millions of people gain a vocational qualification every year as a stepping stone to further study, better jobs and enhanced skills. We think this is something worth celebrating.
Trefor Davies (right) with learner Daniel Tucker (left) showcasing their butchery skills.
Trefor Davies Cambrian Training Company's Butchery Training Officer, observes sausage making.
VQ Day:
- Gives national-level recognition to individuals who achieve great success through a vocational route. Academic achievements such as GCSE and A level results have always been celebrated, but it is equally important that the achievements of those who choose to study through a vocational route are recognised and celebrated on the national stage.
- Provides opportunities to explain and demonstrate vocational skills and engage more people in understanding more about the range of learning pathways and vocational qualifications that are available.
Further information
www.vqday.org has more information on the VQ Day celebrations from all over the UK Edge, the independent educational foundation, coordinates VQ Day on the UK-level with the support of the vocational community.
