Skip the NI Direct Bar

VQ Day deadline approaches – If you’re not in, you can’t win!

28 April 2010

The closing date for entries for Vocational Qualifications (VQ) Day is fast approaching.

VQ Day is a UK-wide celebration of the achievement of the millions of people who gain a vocational qualification every year, and highlights the many paths to success taken by learners of all ages. Northern Ireland’s second VQ Day will be held on 23 June 2010 and will be marked locally by an awards ceremony to be held in Belfast. Nominations for the Learner of the Year awards must be received by Friday 14 May 2010.

Sir Reg Empey, the Employment and Learning Minister, urged colleges, employers, training providers and awarding organisations to nominate a vocational learner they know to become the VQ Learner of the Year.

Sir Reg said: “Vocational qualifications provide tangible benefits to individuals and employers and create a firm foundation for future success. VQ Day serves not only to recognise the hard work of colleges, students and employers in Northern Ireland, but to highlight the vital role of quality assured and regulated vocational qualifications.

“In the current economic climate, the importance of skills cannot be overstated. Learners must equip themselves with the skill sets demanded by employers, who in turn must recognise the crucial role that they have to play in shaping workforce development. The reward will be a modern, dynamic workforce which will drive our economy forward."

The Minister concluded: “Those embarking upon a vocational qualification can do so confident in the knowledge that the high quality training they receive will give them the opportunity to fulfil their potential, and at the same time contribute to our competitiveness in the global market.”

Colleges, learning providers and awarding bodies can hold their own VQ Day celebrations by downloading a VQ Day action pack from http://www.vqday.org external link. A roll call of vocational success has also been established at http://www.vqday.org external link for past and present vocational learners to log on and add their name to the list. Millions of people gain a vocational qualification, and the roll call is one way of marking that achievement. The nomination criteria and form can also be downloaded from this site.

For background information or more detail on plans for VQ Day, contact: Linda Berg on 028 9025 7506 or email linda.berg@delni.gov.uk external link

Notes to editors:

  1. About VQ Day – 23 June 2010: 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. Plans for VQ Day in Northern Ireland are being led by the Department for Employment and Learning in conjunction with the vocational qualifications community in Northern Ireland.
  3. Twenty regional finalists will be recognised on VQ Day and two will be selected as VQ Learner of the Year. The two categories are VQ Learner of the Year (24 years and under) and VQ Learner of the Year (25 years and over).  To find out more, including how to nominate a learner, visit http://www.vqday.org. external link
  4. All media enquiries should be directed to the Department for Employment and Learning Communications Branch on 028 9025 7872. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.