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John and Ian ‘seize’ top prize at VQ Awards

23 June 2010

John McAnally from Carrickfergus and Ian McIlveen from Portadown were today named as NI Learners of the Year at the UK-wide Vocational Qualifications Awards.

The Awards, organised in Northern Ireland by the Department for Employment and Learning, celebrate the achievement of the millions of people, of all ages, who gain a vocational qualification every year.  Over 4 million vocational qualifications were awarded across the UK last year.

Speaking at the ceremony, Employment and Learning Minister, Sir Reg Empey, said: “Vocational qualifications can transform peoples’ lives, both in terms of their career prospects and their own personal development.  John and Ian should be immensely proud of their achievements and I congratulate them on winning these awards.

“Today’s event highlights the importance of learning and celebrates the achievements of learners.  All the finalists are an inspiration to those considering following a vocational course, and I commend their achievements to everyone who has a stake in our drive to raise skills levels in Northern Ireland.”

From the 25 shortlisted finalists John McAnally, studying at South Eastern Regional College (Lisburn), won the Young Learner of the Year (24 years and under) after achieving NVQ Level 3 and Advanced Technical Certificate in Plant Maintenance and Ian McIlveen, studying at Southern Regional College (Lurgan), won the Learner of the Year (25 years and over) after gaining an ILM Level 5 in Management.

John certainly seized success through his vocational qualification, seeing redundancy as an opportunity to become self-employed.  He is now a contractor in high demand throughout Ireland, using specialised equipment to remove seized components, gaining a reputation as a highly-skilled, efficient and competent plant mechanic.  

Ian was keen to enhance his management skills following promotion.  This was instrumental in his promotion to Project Engineer where he worked to bring a project to fruition three months ahead of schedule and save his employers Nacco Materials Handling Ltd. £300,000 per year.  Following this success, he has been seconded to implement and control a multi-million pound budget for Research and Development and Business Improvement Training Programmes, and he’s still not finished learning – he’s now gearing up for a degree level course in Human Resources, starting this September.  

Kathleen Tattersall OBE, the chair of the qualifications regulator Ofqual also spoke at the NI event: “The VQ Learner of the Year Award demonstrates the talent, skill, commitment and effort of individuals who are shining examples of excellent achievement in a vocational field.”

Notes to editors:

1.    Millions of people will gain a vocational qualification this year, and this will be their stepping stone to a brighter future. VQ Day celebrates this achievement and the many paths to success taken by learners of all ages.  

2.    VQ Day in Northern Ireland is being led by the Department for Employment and Learning in conjunction with the vocational qualifications community in Northern Ireland.  

3.    A roll call of vocational success has been establishedat www.vqday.org external link, with all learners past and present invited to add their name to the list of people across the UK who have gained a vocational qualification.  

4.    In addition to the two Northern Ireland category winners announced today, the following finalists also received certificates to recognise their achievements:

24 and Under

  • Brendan Baxter, SRC (Newry), NVQ Level 2 Professional Cookery
  • Rebecca Blackwood, SERC (Downpatrick), BTEC HNC Media (Moving Image)
  • Elaine Boyle, NWRC (Londonderry), National Diploma in Performing Arts
  • Rachel Burnett, NRC (Newtownabbey),BTEC National Diploma – Interactive Media
  • Kyle Hamilton, NWRC (Londonderry), NVQ Level 3 Professional Cookery
  • Karolina Januskaite, NRC (Ballymena), BTEC National Diploma in Art and Design
  • Clare McClay, NWRC (Londonderry), Foundation Degree Hospitality and Tourism Management
  • Ronan McCullagh, NWRC (Londonderry), BTEC National Diploma in Music
  • Colm Murphy, NWRC (Londonderry), NVQ Level 3 Bricklaying
  • Jason Purdy, SERC (Downpatrick), BTEC HNC Media (Moving Image)
  • Sarah Ryan, SERC (Bangor), BTEC National Certificate in Hospitality Management
  • Naomi Ward, NRC (Ballymena), BTEC National Diploma in Art and Design
  • Deborah Young, SWC (Enniskillen), HND in Business

25 and Over

  • Michelle Graham, SRC (Lurgan), NVQ Level 3 Business and Administration
  • Christine Kelly, NWRC (Londonderry), Small Business Financial Management
  • Philomena McCormick, SRC (Newry), NVQ Level 3 Health and Social Care
  • Christopher McGilloway, NWRC (Londonderry), NVQ Level 3 Professional Cookery
  • Brigid McGuigan, NRC (Magherafelt), Business Studies
  • Bernadette McKnight, SRC (Newry), Hairdressing
  • Phyllis Millington, Supporting Communities NI (Ballymena), NOCN Progression Award in Community Development
  • Geraldine Murphy, CAFRE (Antrim), Animal Nursing Assistant
  • Sharon Patterson, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust / University of Ulster (Belfast), NVQ Level 3 Award in Health and Social Care
  • Jennifer Taylor, NWRC (Londonderry), CIPD in Training Practice

5.    To find out more visit www.vqday.org. external link

6.    All media queries should be directed to the Department for Employment and Learning Communications Branch on 028 9025 7492.  Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715440 and your call will be returned.