VQ Day celebrating vocational training ready to launch
By Martin Kornacki (22-06-2009)
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Vocational Qualification (VQ) Day 2009, a national event to celebrate achievements in practical and vocational learning, kicks off today.
It comes amid research published by Edge, the independent education foundation leading the event, that nearly a quarter of recent graduates have chosen to take a vocational qualification in addition to their university degree.
Researchers also found that three-quarters of respondents believed a degree was necessary for their chosen career, but more than a quarter now feel let down by their course for inadequately preparing them for the world of work, and almost half said they wish employers had been more involved in their course.
The study also found that nearly two-thirds of graduates believe it is a good idea for current university students to study for a vocational qualification in addition to their degree courses.
Andy Powell, chief executive of Edge, said: “Graduates are topping up their degrees with vocational qualifications because the current system is failing to provide the skills and training that graduates need and employers so desperately want. There are many paths to success and it’s time that practical training is incorporated into the curriculum at a much earlier stage to ensure young people are entering the working world with the skills they require.
“In the current climate, it’s more important than ever that vocational qualifications get the recognition they deserve, to remove once and for all the outdated notion that academic courses are the only way for young people to achieve their aspirations. We are calling on people across the UK to support VQ Day on 24th June 2009, the only official celebration of vocational qualifications.”
This year celebrity chef James Martin, a vocational success story himself, is supporting the event.
At 16-years-old Martin took his first steps to fulfilling his dream of becoming a head chef, by enrolling at Scarborough Technical College on a catering course.
He said that at long last vocational learners were getting the opportunity to stand up and say that they were proud of their achievements.
“For far too long, vocational qualifications have been seen as the poor relation to their academic counterparts,” he said.
“There are many paths to success and VQ Day is a chance for learners all over the UK to come together and celebrate their individual achievements. It showcases not only the variety of qualifications available, but the doorways a vocational qualification can open and the many people who have gone on to excel in their chosen field. As a vocational learner myself, I relish the opportunity to lend my support and get involved.”
For more information about VQ Day visit www.vqday.org
It comes amid research published by Edge, the independent education foundation leading the event, that nearly a quarter of recent graduates have chosen to take a vocational qualification in addition to their university degree.
Researchers also found that three-quarters of respondents believed a degree was necessary for their chosen career, but more than a quarter now feel let down by their course for inadequately preparing them for the world of work, and almost half said they wish employers had been more involved in their course.
The study also found that nearly two-thirds of graduates believe it is a good idea for current university students to study for a vocational qualification in addition to their degree courses.
Andy Powell, chief executive of Edge, said: “Graduates are topping up their degrees with vocational qualifications because the current system is failing to provide the skills and training that graduates need and employers so desperately want. There are many paths to success and it’s time that practical training is incorporated into the curriculum at a much earlier stage to ensure young people are entering the working world with the skills they require.
“In the current climate, it’s more important than ever that vocational qualifications get the recognition they deserve, to remove once and for all the outdated notion that academic courses are the only way for young people to achieve their aspirations. We are calling on people across the UK to support VQ Day on 24th June 2009, the only official celebration of vocational qualifications.”
This year celebrity chef James Martin, a vocational success story himself, is supporting the event.
At 16-years-old Martin took his first steps to fulfilling his dream of becoming a head chef, by enrolling at Scarborough Technical College on a catering course.
He said that at long last vocational learners were getting the opportunity to stand up and say that they were proud of their achievements.
“For far too long, vocational qualifications have been seen as the poor relation to their academic counterparts,” he said.
“There are many paths to success and VQ Day is a chance for learners all over the UK to come together and celebrate their individual achievements. It showcases not only the variety of qualifications available, but the doorways a vocational qualification can open and the many people who have gone on to excel in their chosen field. As a vocational learner myself, I relish the opportunity to lend my support and get involved.”
For more information about VQ Day visit www.vqday.org
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