James and his company reaping benefits of vocational qualifications
James Pepper, a strong advocate of vocational learning.
Theory is great, but practical experience linked to continued development and qualifications can go a lot further, according to James Pepper, a director and shareholder of Cardiff-based Vista Retail.
James has risen through the ranks of the growing business that specialises in the build, installation, support and maintenance of EPOS systems for customers in the retail and hospitality and QSR markets. Last year he actively oversaw the Management Buy-Out of the company, becoming a shareholder himself.
He puts the success of the Management Buy-Out down to his continued vocational development within the business and his career.
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 9, the eve of VQ Day, at St David’s Hotel, Cardiff.
Organised by the Welsh Government’s Department for Education and Skills (DfES), the National Training Federation for Wales (NTfW) and CollegesWales, the VQ Awards help to showcase individuals and organisations that have raised the standard of the services they offer as a result of vocational qualifications.
The awards, which are part funded by the European Social Fund, are now in their eighth year and coincide with Vocational Qualifications Day – a UK-wide celebration of vocational qualifications for students, teachers, training providers and employers – which is held on June 10.
Over the past year, James has also introduced initiatives that have improved efficiency and resulted in substantial savings in company costs while still increasing the number of employees within the company that now employs over 200 people.
“You can learn a great deal through theory, but when it comes down to it and putting it into practice there is nothing like learning on the job,” said James, Technical Services Director at Vista Retail Support.
Since joining the company when it was a small business in 1998, James has achieved an Higher Apprenticeship in Management and has since gone on to attain a BTEC Diploma in Management and Leadership Level 5 and NVQ Diploma in Management Level 5 with support from Acorn Learning Solutions. Some of the qualifications have been funded by the Welsh Government with European Social Fund support.
James is currently studying for a degree in Applied Professional Practice at Cardiff Metropolitan University in addition to running a high growth business.
“Continued vocational studies and qualifications form an important part of our business. I can see at first hand how it helps strengthen personal skills and career development,” added James. “We actively encourage this in the workplace and we’re definitely seeing the results.”
The other VQ Learner of the Year finalists are: Casey Coleman, 28, salon artistic director at Ocean Hairdressing, Cardiff; former Bridgend College student Michael Whippey, 23, of Shardeloes Farm Equestrian Centre, Amersham; Paul Wiggins, 35, from Cardiff, a chartered insurance broker at BPW Insurance Services, Newport; former Bridgend College learner Serena Torrance, 23, of Maesteg who is taking a criminology degree at Cardiff University and former Coleg Sir Gar learner Simon McCall, 21, from Capel Dewi near Carmarthen, a self-employed carpenter and member of the WorldSkills UK Squad.
The VQ Learner the Year Award recognises learners who clearly demonstrate progression and excellence in vocational studies and have made considerable achievements in their field.
Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology, Julie James congratulated Michael and fellow VQ Awards finalists.
“A VQ Award is more than just an award; it’s a symbol of dedication towards your chosen profession,” she said. “Professional and personal development programmes are utilised for staff to enable them to follow a pathway of learning to meet company, customer and individual needs.
“The VQ Awards help us to celebrate those Welsh employers and learners who are already going that extra mile when it comes to developing vocational skills and qualifications.
“If the Welsh economy is to continue to grow then we must ensure that employers, individuals and the Welsh Government work together to invest in the right skills for success in order to equip Wales with a world class work force.”
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