VQ Day 2013
VQ DAY: Celebrating Vocational Achievement – Wednesday 5 June 2013
The finalists for the award of Northern Ireland VQ learner of the Year 2013 and the inaugural VQ Employer of the Year Award have just been announced.
VQ Day is a national celebration of the impact that vocational qualifications (VQs) have on learners and employers. It shines a light on and recognises the millions of talented and skilled people throughout the UK who have been awarded VQs and used them as a platform for building successful careers.
The highlight of VQ Day 2013 in Northern Ireland will be an awards ceremony at Parliament Buildings, Stormont on the evening of Wednesday 5 June. This year, in addition to recognising the outstanding achievement of VQ learners in Northern Ireland, a new Employer of the Year award is being introduced to recognise an employer that has embraced vocational qualifications within their workplace.
VQ Day provides an opportunity for everybody involved in the achievement, development and delivery of VQs to celebrate the importance of vocational education and training. Previous years’ VQ celebrations have seen a top-class response from Northern Ireland and it is hoped that with the introduction of the new employer award, the event will become an even greater success.
Plans for VQ Day 2013 in Northern Ireland are being led by the Department for Employment and Learning in conjunction with the vocational qualifications community in Northern Ireland, to mirror similar events being held on the same day in England, Scotland and Wales.
Visit www.vqday.org.uk 
for details of activities taking place across the UK.
Northern Ireland VQ Learner of the Year
Learning providers, employers and awarding organisations can nominate learners who they feel have really excelled in the vocational field by submitting a nomination form. Ten learners will have their outstanding achievements recognised at the Northern Ireland awards ceremony with the winner receiving the Northern Ireland VQ Learner of the Year trophy and an iPad mini.
Northern Ireland VQ Employer of the Year
Employers can self-nominate for the Employer of the Year Award by submitting a nomination form. There will be three finalists for the inaugural Employer of the Year award with the winner being presented with the Northern Ireland VQ Employer of the Year trophy.
Vocational qualifications have never been more important to the economy and the individual. They deliver the trained, talented employees that businesses are crying out for and ensure that people of all ages have the skills needed to succeed in education and work, as well as providing the means for employers to raise the skills levels of their existing workforce.
We encourage the VQ community in Northern Ireland to get involved in this year’s celebrations. For further guidance see how to get involved
Further Information
Further information can be obtained by contacting:
Karen DoranTel No: 028 9025 7689 (Monday to Friday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm)
E-mail: karen.doran@delni.gov.uk
