The inaugural UK-wide Vocational Qualifications Day “VQ Day” is being launched in Wales at the Royal Welsh Show in Builth Wells on 23 July to celebrate the achievements of talented and skilled individuals who have achieved success with their vocational qualifications. The Deputy Minister John Griffiths will be joined by students from further education colleges and training providers who will showcase their skills across a range of vocational areas including catering, forensic science and horticulture.
Organisers of the VQ Day launch in Wales, Chief Executive of fforwm John Graystone and Chairman of NTFW Terry Jones said: “VQ Day has arrived, and it's about time, too. The future of Wales depends on highly skilled, ambitious individuals and globally competitive businesses. Vocational qualifications must form a key part of that future.
“We are proud to be able to bring to the public's attention the successes that have been achieved by past and present learners.”
Examples of individual successes include: Sarah Edwards who won a scholarship to the Inns of Court and is one of the UK's most promising future barristers; Kayleigh McCaffrey, who is en route to become a vet; Scott Davis, who has trained under the wings of Gordon Ramsay, Marco Pierre White and Gary Rhodes. Their learning pathways are as diverse as the world of work. What they have in common are strong ambitions and vocational qualifications.
Deputy Minister for Skills John Griffiths said: “I'm delighted to support the launch of VQ Day in Wales - a new landmark date which rightly gives due prominence and importance to the vocational route. This day of celebration gives those who secure Vocational Qualifications the same pride of place as those who cover themselves with academic glory.
“I hope VQ Day will help highlight the fact that vocational qualifications, in a huge number of cases, provide a route to higher education and professional careers. In doing so it will serve a very important purpose. It will highlight the great benefits and advantages of applied courses and draw more talented people towards vocational learning routes.”
Vocational qualifications (VQs) come in a range of shapes and sizes because they reflect the world of work – which is itself wide and varied. VQ Day aims to demonstrate that VQs offer a flexible pathway to success, both for companies who want a highly skilled, highly competitive workforce, and for individuals who want to earn a degree or professional qualifications.
Success stories include entrepreneurs who have established successful businesses, cutting edge companies that have used workforce training to make a difference to the bottom line, and ambitious individuals who have taken their vocational qualifications to university and on to fantastic careers.
Ioan Evans, Head of Enquiries & Admissions Unit at the University of Glamorgan said: “The University of Glamorgan has a tradition of encouraging students with vocational qualifications to study at the University. Our courses prepare students for today's workplace so in many instance the very vocational nature of courses such as BTEC and Access give students an excellent start for the rigours of a university education.”
Richard Bland, Service Manager at St David's ASC said: “NVQs are particularly suitable to our industry requirements as an organisation focussed on personal and professional development which equally relies on good partnership working arrangements with our training provider.”
VQ Day is the first UK-wide celebration of vocational successes. It will not be the last. Wales needs to nurture success – and to celebrate it, too.
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South East Case Study: Law à barrister
One of the UK's most promising future barristers, who was one of only a handful of people in the UK to receive a scholarship for her Bar Vocational Course fees at the Inns of Court School of Law, London, started her career with an Access Course, having left school at 16.
Sarah Edwards, 31, from Gwaelod y Garth, decided to further her education following the birth of her daughter, now 12, and secured a place on an Access Course at Coleg Glan Hafren. She went on to gain a first class honours degree at Glamorgan University and was rewarded with a scholarship by the Inner Temple.
Sarah said: “I was immediately hooked by the intellectual challenge of law as a subject and was delighted to progress onto the degree level course.”
North Wales case study: Animal Science à Vet
After gaining distinctions in the National Diploma in Horse Care, Kayleigh McCaffrey, 18, is about to start a degree in Animal Science at Aberystwyth University, with plans to become a vet.
Kayleigh had initially thought that the only route to gaining a career as a vet would be to take A levels, and then move on to university. However, she was thrilled to find out that a she could still gain the same place at the same university by taking a vocational qualification that provided both classroom learning as well as hands-on practice at the Welsh College of Horticulture.
Kayleigh said: “I was going to take A levels, but I also wanted to actually work with animals, rather than just sitting and learning in a classroom.”
South West case study: Chef
Scott Davis has trained under the wings of Gordon Ramsay and Marco Pierre White at the Aubergine and Mirabelle and has worked at the famous Berkeley Hotel in London and many other Michelin-starred restaurants, thanks to an NVQ in hospitality and catering.
Scott's two-year NVQ course at Coleg Sir Gâr set him up for a career ladder that has included working at some of the UK's top restaurants as well as stints abroad, such as working with Gary Rhodes on a TV series travelling around India. He's now head chef at the Doctor's Court, Llys Meddyg Restaurant in Pembrokeshire.
Scott said: “It hasn't been an easy journey … but now that I have reached my ultimate goal as head chef, I am earning more than some people who followed academic routes.”
Notes to editors:
Contacts for media:
Sylvia Davies, fforwm T: 029 2074 1835 or 07968 771913
Welsh Assembly Government Press Office: 029 2082 8556 or 029 2082 8564
About VQ Day – 23 July 2008
1. Millions of people take a vocational qualification every year leading them on to further vocational study or university, better jobs and/or enhanced skills. For too long, this success has gone without the recognition and celebration it deserves. To raise the profile of vocational qualifications and celebrate vocational success 'VQ Day' is being launched. VQ Day is an official celebration of the people who gain vocational qualifications every year, and the people who help them achieve this success.
2. Plans for VQ Day are being led by Edge, the education foundation, in conjunction with the vocational qualifications community including (among others): fforwm, the Association of Colleges, the National Training Federation for Wales (NTFW), Edexcel, City & Guilds, OCR, Federation of Awarding Bodies, Department for Innovation, Universities & Skills (DIUS), EDI, Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM), Qualifications & Curriculum Authority (QCA), and with the support of the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG).
3. VQ Day is being launched in Wales at Coleg Sir Gâr's marquee at the Royal Welsh Show, Builth Wells (stand D309) on 23 July 2008. The WAG Deputy Minister John Griffiths will be joined at the launch by students who will demonstrate their skills. The launch is being organised by fforwm and the National Training Federation for Wales (NTFW).
4. A simultaneous VQ Day event will take place at the Royal Opera House in London, hosted by singer and Strictly Come Dancing winner Alesha Dixon and organised by Edge (www.edge.co.uk). A report will also be published on the day examining the vocational qualifications landscape across the UK.
5. A roll call of vocational success has being established online, with all learners past and present invited to add their name to the list of people across the UK who have gained a vocational qualification. In addition, honorary vocational qualifications will be awarded on VQ Day to 'VQ Heroes' who embody vocational success.
6. To find out more visit www.vqday.org
7. Contact information for the organisations cited:
- fforwm: the national organisation representing all 25 further education (FE) colleges and institutions in Wales T: 029 2074 1800 E: info@fforwm.ac.uk W: www.fforwm.ac.uk
- National Training Federation for Wales (NTFW): Tudor Phillips T: 02920437843
- Coleg Glan Hafren: Chris Seal, Marketing Manager T: 029 2025 0438
- University of Glamorgan: T: 0800 716925 W: www.glam.ac.uk
- Welsh College of Horticulture: Claire Nicholson, Public Relations Officer T: 01352 841000
- Coleg Sir Gâr: Amanda Rees, Marketing Department T: 01554 748118
8. A number of case studies and photos of learners across Wales are available. Contact: Sylvia Davies on T: 029 2074 1835 or M: 07968 771913
9. Media photo/interview opportunities:
- Deputy Minister John Griffiths is available for interview from 10.45am-11.15am (note: he is making a speech at 11.00am) on Wednesday 23 July at the Royal Welsh Show.
- Other opportunities might be available during the day: please contact Sara Parry on T: 029 2089 8564 to arrange.
- Pre-recorded interview can be arranged with the Deputy Minister for Tuesday 22 July. Please contact Sara Parry as above to arrange.
- Learners from colleges and training providers will be available for interview from 10.30am – 12.30pm on Wednesday 23 July at the Royal Welsh Show.
- Pre-records with learners can be arranged. Contact Sylvia Davies on T: 029 2074 1835 or M: 07968 771913
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