Vocational Training Top of the Agenda for Welsh Government as the VQ Awards open for entry

Posted on by karen.smith

Today (Wednesday 28 January) marks the official launch of the annual Vocational Qualification (VQ) awards, designed to celebrate the achievements of both individuals and organisations across Wales.

Organised by the Welsh Government’s Department for Education and Skills (DfES), the National Training Federation for Wales (NtfW) and CollegesWales and part funded by the European Social Fund, the VQ awards help to identify and exemplify individuals and organisations that have raised the standard of the services they offer as a result of vocational qualifications.

Last year’s VQ Learner of the Year winner, Emma Thomas, 28, who runs her own bilingual nursery in Carmarthenshire said;

“I don’t believe I’d be running my own business today without having worked hard to continually improve my vocational skills and acquire regular qualifications. And now I want to be a role model for my staff.

“I’m extremely passionate about providing only the highest standard of childcare for my families, while growing and developing my business.

“In order to achieve this, I’m committed to nurturing my staff and encouraging them to undertake continual vocational training to improve their skills and fulfil their own potential.
“Winning the VQ Learner of the Year award last week was an incredible honour and was testament to all the hard work I have put into my own development and that of my business over the years.”

The awards, now in their 8th consecutive year coincide with Vocational Qualifications Day – a UK-wide celebration of vocational qualifications for students, teachers and employers, being held on 10th June this year.

Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology, Julie James said, “A VQ award is more than just an award; it’s a symbol of dedication towards your chosen profession.

“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 and 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.”

“In order for the Welsh economy to grow 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.”

There are two categories in the awards; the VQ Learner of the Year and the VQ Employer of the Year. Entries for the awards will be open from Wednesday 28 January and will close on 1 May. The finalists will then be shortlisted and announced in early May. The winners will be announced at a glittering awards ceremony on the evening of 9th June – the day before VQ Day on Wednesday 10 June.

For more information on the awards or to enter please visit www.vqday.org.uk and download an application form.

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