Ashleigh in running for VQ Learner of the Year Award
Ashleigh Zeta Jones dreams of becoming a paediatric nurse.
A burning ambition to become a paediatric nurse is back on course for 22-year-old Ashleigh Zeta Jones from Bridgend thanks to vocational learning.
She left school with disappointing GCSE results and took a couple of years out, working in shops and bars before seeking a second chance at education, which she has grabbed with both hands.
Now her learning journey has won her a place in the final of this year’s prestigious Vocational Qualification (VQ) Awards in Wales. She is one of six finalists in the running to become VQ Learner of the Year at the showpiece awards ceremony on June 4, VQ Day, at Coleg y Cymoedd, Nantgarw.
VQ Day is a national celebration of people who have achieved success in vocational education in Wales.
Staff at Bridgend College helped to rebuild Ashleigh’s confidence after enrolling her on the CACHE Level 2 Diploma in Child Care. She responded by achieving the highest mark ever at the college by a Level 2 childcare student, continued to achieve ‘A’ grades in every assignment as she progressed to Level 3 and won the college’s internal ‘Journey to Outstanding’ award three times in as many years.
As a result of her hard work and determination, she achieved the equivalent of three ‘A’ grade A-Levels and was accepted on a nursing degree course at the University of South Wales, where she completes her first year this summer.
A varied range of work experience placements arranged by the college included a fortnight in a school in Germany, which convinced her that she was more cut out to be a nurse than a teacher.
“All the different work placements made me realise that I could get to where I wanted to be,” said Ashleigh, who praised the support and encouragement she had received from Bridgend College staff. “I love children and being a paediatric nurse will give me a chance to give back more.”
She has recently returned to Bridgend College to collect two awards, including College Learner of the Year. John Morgan, the college’s curriculum manager, said: “Ashleigh has demonstrated that she has the ability to overcome personal challenges in order to attain her career goals.”
The other VQ Learner of the Year finalists are Matthew Edwards, an apprentice butcher with S. A. Vaughan Family Butchers, Penyfford, near Chester who was nominated by Cambrian Training Company, Rhys Sinfield nominated by Bridgend College, Corey Nixon who was nominated by Gower College Swansea, Ebbi Ferguson who was nominated by Coleg Sir Gâr, Llanelli and St Clears nursery owner Emma Thomas who was nominated by City and County of Swansea Lifelong Learning and Employment Training Service.
Three companies – Hengoed Court care home, Swansea, domiciliary care provider Trusting Hands, Ebbw Vale and Village Bakery, Wrexham – will contest the VQ Employer of the Year Award.
VQ Day supports the aspiration that vocational qualifications, which are not just for young people, should achieve parity of esteem alongside other educational routes.
Learning providers across Wales are being encouraged to organise regional events to celebrate VQ Day and engage with learners of all ages. VQ Day and the VQ Awards are co-ordinated in Wales by ColegauCymru and the National Training Federation for Wales (NTfW) with the support of the Welsh Government and part funded by the European Social Fund.
Wales’ Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology, Ken Skates, wished the nine finalists success on June 4. “Vocational Qualifications are the gold standard in professional excellence and we must ensure they are recognised alongside academic qualifications for their value to learners and the Welsh economy.
“Wales has a real wealth of talented and committed people who have excelled in their vocational studies and VQ Day is a chance for us to celebrate their achievements. A VQ award is more than just an award; it’s a symbol of dedication towards your chosen profession.”
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