The closing date for entries is 20th May 2011. Local colleges, employers, training providers and awarding bodies are encouraged to get involved in the celebrations by nominating learners for the prestigious award.
Daryl Young, Further Education Programme Manager at the Department for Employment and Learning, said, “Vocational qualifications are the means by which skills that are valuable to employers are demonstrated. Learners can achieve vocational qualifications right across the labour market spectrum. They are valued by employers, because employers know that by achieving a vocational qualification a learner demonstrates skills and capability to perform effectively in their sectors of the labour market, whether it be construction, hair and beauty, retail or office-based work.
[caption id="attachment_22645" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Launching the call for entries to the 2011 Vocational Qualifications (VQ) Awards are Daryl Young, Further Education Programme Manager at the Department for Employment and Learning, and Ian McIlveen, winner of 2010 Learner of the Year Award. (Photo by Darryl Mooney)."]
[/caption]
“VQ Day 2011 provides an opportunity to showcase the outstanding achievement of learners who have gained a vocational qualification. The Department supports a wide range of learning programmes involving VQs, through ApprenticeshipsNI, Further Education colleges and Training for Success. I urge any organisation involved with VQs to nominate learners who they feel demonstrate the excellence associated with VQs.”
Vocational qualifications have a strong link to particular employment sectors, and are becoming increasingly important to the NI economy to ensure that it develops the right skills for future employment. The achievement of vocational qualifications can also transform the lives of those that take them by getting them into worthwhile employment, or by further developing their skills when already employed.
VQ Day 2011 is this year being celebrated in NI for the third time. The response to the event here has been outstanding in previous years, with proportionately more nominations than any other part of the UK.
Any organisation may nominate a learner for the prestigious Northern Ireland VQ Learner of the Year award. Nomination packs and further information can be found at http://www.delni.gov.uk/vqday , while the full range of activity across the UK can be seen at http://www.vqday.org .
You can also find out more about vocational qualifications at http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/btecs-ocr-nationals-and-other-vocational-qualifications.htm
VQ Learner of the Year Award nominees must:
* Have completed a vocational qualification between 1 May 2006 and 1 May 2011. A vocational qualification is defined for VQ Day 2011 as a regulated qualification at any level relating to a particular line of work or specific job role. These qualifications have an emphasis on the assessment of practical skills and knowledge. Examples include BTECs, City & Guilds, NVQ/SVQ, OCR Nationals, Apprenticeships, HNC/HNDs, and professional qualifications awarded through a recognised professional body;
* Demonstrate outstanding achievements, rather than merely confirmation that they gained a vocational qualification;
* Present evidence to show that they have used their qualification to achieve success and stand out from their peers;
* Have completed their qualification at a registered provider in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland;
* Be nominated by two organisations.
VQ Day 2011 will be celebrated with an awards ceremony in the Great Hall at Stormont on 22 June, hosted by Lynda Bryans. The winner will receive the coveted Northern Ireland VQ Learner of the Year award 2011.]]>
News In Brief
- Advertisement -
Downnews Videos
