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Celebrate finding your vocation

4 March 2009

Employment and Learning Minister, Sir Reg Empey, today encouraged local colleges, training providers and awarding bodies to get involved in this year’s Vocational Qualifications (VQ) Day.  

Held on 24 June 2009, 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.  It will be marked locally by an awards ceremony to be held in Belfast.

Sir Reg said: “Vocational qualifications can set people up for life and it is most fitting that the hard work of colleges, students and employers in Northern Ireland is recognised nationally in this way.

“In the current economic climate, the importance of providing the workforce with skills that employers want cannot be overstated.  Vocational qualifications are an excellent preparation for the world of work.  They are also the best way to improve your skills or retrain when in employment.”

The Minister added: “Thousands of people across Northern Ireland gain a Vocational Qualification each year and I appeal to our local colleges, training providers and awarding bodies to get involved in VQ Day to help celebrate these achievements.”

An action pack about VQ Day is available for colleges, learning providers and awarding bodies to download from http://www.vqday.org external link  in order for them to hold their own VQ Day celebrations.  A roll call of vocational success has also been established at the website 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.

For background information or more detail on plans for 24 June 2009, contact:   Linda Berg on 028 9025 7506 or email linda.berg@delni.gov.uk. external link

NOTES TO EDITORS:

  1. 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.  
  2. Two national ‘VQ Heroes’ will be recognised on VQ Day, selected from regional winners from across the UK. To find out more visit http://www.vqday.org external link
  3. Media queries to the Department for Employment and Learning Press Office 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.