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Abi Rogansky, our Head of Media & Public Affairs,
taking part in a motor sport ‘vocational zone’
provided by Wiltshire College students
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An array of events took place around the country, ranging from VQ open days to awards ceremonies. Founded in 2008, VQ Day celebrates vocational achievement and aims to raise the profile of vocational qualifications.
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The biggest event took place at Hackney Community College in London, hosted by celebrity chef and television presenter, James Martin, whose vocational qualification helped lead to his success.
In the last two academic years (2006/07 – 2007/08), more than 2.6 million learners registered for Edexcel vocational qualifications across the globe. These include BTECs, NVQs, Key Skills and Adult Skills. In the UK more than 5,000 centres offered Edexcel vocational qualifications.
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Celebrity Chef James Martin,
special guest at the VQ Day event
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Music performances by Barnet College students
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Edexcel’s Managing Director, Jerry Jarvis said:
“Edexcel is very proud to be involved in this event. Vocational learning is as important as traditional academic learning and VQ Day has given us the chance to celebrate the millions of learners who will enter higher education or important job roles thus contributing to our economy.” |
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The day saw hundreds of guests, including VIPs from the main political parties, gathering at the college's Shoreditch campus to recognise the importance of vocational qualifications and congratulate the winners of the VQ Hero Awards. |
Dance performances by Barnet College students
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Gourmet canapes prepared and served by Hackney
Community College’s hospitality and catering students
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Vocational zones at the event ranged from motor sports to hair and make-up, with colleges and visitors encouraged to try their hand at a range of vocational skills. Performing arts and dance were also put on during the day, with gourmet canapes prepared and served by Hackney Community College's hospitality and catering students in the luxury training restaurant, Open Kitchen. |
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Both National Hero Award winners were BTEC students. Winner of the Learner of the Year award was Aaron Collins, who will be going on to Kingston University to study Architecture later this year. After a troubled time at school, Aaron found that it was a vocational qualification, specifically a BTEC in Art and Design that was pivotal in his life. ‘It changed my life around and meant I could work at something I was good at,’ he said.
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VQ Day winner Aaron Collins with celebrity chef, James Martin, and Chairman of Edge, John Cox
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VQ Day winner, Lucia Castro, with celebrity chef,
James Martin, and Chairman of Edge, John Cox
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Young Learner of the Year award went to Lucia Castro, who moved from war-torn Angola to the UK in 2003. She has gone from being unable to speak English to studying a degree in midwifery at the University of Manchester, following a BTEC in Health & Social Care. |