Corey in the running for VQ Learner of the Year Award
Corey Nixon is well set for a career in electronics.
A promising career in electronics awaits 17-year-old Corey Nixon who has won a series of awards and been described as a college role model.
He has won the Skills Competition Wales industrial electronics contest, a major achievement for a learner of his age and led the Gower College Swansea team to victory in the Engineering Education Scheme Wales’ best working solution project.
In addition, Corey hopes to go on to represent the college in the WorldSkills UK industrial electronics final and to win a place in the UK squad for the next round of the global competition.
Now his learning journey has won him a place in the final of this year’s prestigious Vocational Qualification (VQ) Awards in Wales. He 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.
Corey’s interest in electronics began at the age of 14 when he joined Gower College Swansea and achieved a GCSE A grade in the subject. He was also in the first group of learners from Wales to complete the Digital Home Technology Integrator Audio Video and Networks level two course, which he passed with flying colours.
Completing his first year on the Extended Diploma in Electrical/Electronic Engineering, he is now preparing for employment on a college work release programme with Building Services Controls at Felinfach, which constructs electronic control panels.
“I have always been interested in electronics because I like to know how things work,” said Corey. “I would like to go to university and then get a job in electronics.”
David Cranmer, Gower College Swansea’s learning area manager, who nominated Corey for the VQ Learner of the Year Award, described him as an “excellent role model” who supports all college activities.
Tony Martin, production manager at Building Services Controls, praised Corey’s contribution to the manufacturing team. “There is no doubt that he will have a very good career in the field of electronic engineering,” he said.
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, Ashleigh Zeta Jones and chef Rhys Sinfield who were both nominated by Bridgend College, 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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