HAVERING College of Further and Higher Education has flown the flag for vocational qualifications on national VQ Day by rewarding exceptional students.
Seven students who have demonstrated outstanding progression and excellence in their vocational studies have been honoured as 2012 VQ Day heroes by the college in Hornchurch, Essex.
The term VQ refers to a recognised qualification at any level relating to a particular line of work or specific job role. The qualifications have an emphasis on the assessment of practical skills and knowledge.
Examples include BTECs, City & Guilds, NVQ/SVQ, OCR Nationals, Apprenticeships, HNC/HNDs, degrees with a largely vocational content and professional qualifications awarded through a recognised professional body.
This week VQ Day certificates were presented to Havering College learners across a wide range of fields including Beauty, Business, Hospitality and Catering, Media, Public Services and Electrical Installation.
The 2012 Havering College VQ Day heroes are:
Level 2 Beauty student Jodie Turff, 17, from Hornchurch, who has represented Havering College in a regional UK Skills competition.
Filmmaker Scott Parrott, 21, from Romford, who had his school education disrupted by a serious road accident but completed a BTEC level 3 in Creative Media at Havering College after receiving support for dyslexia. He now runs a successful small business providing audio, video and entertainment services.
Vanessa Tavares, 18, from Ilford, who has shown determination to achieve a distinction grade in BTEC Level 2 Business despite not having English as a first language and starting the course late.
Mature student Natasha Adams, 38, from Harold Hill, who is taking a Level 1 OCR in Business Administration after taking voluntary redundancy from her role with Royal Mail. Natasha has shown commitment and perseverance in completing her qualification while coping with the health challenges of Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
Hospitality and Catering student Hannah Cornell, 18, from Romford, who has impressed her tutors by always volunteering for extra duties at events.
Vicky Luxford, 18, from Dagenham, who has achieved the highest grade to date of any Havering College student on the BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Public Services course.
Electrical Installation apprentice Craig Kelleher, 20, from Rainham, who has progressed from a level 1 entry course to an Advanced Apprenticeship at level 3. He receives support for his dyslexia while at college and now has a supervisory role at work training new apprentices.
Havering College has supported national VQ Day since its inception in 2007, championing the value of vocational training and holding events to ensure students on vocational courses gain a similar prominence to those studying more traditional academic subjects.
College chair of governors Stan Rose presented certificates to the 2012 award winners.
Havering College principal designate Maria Thompson said: “We are proud to mark national VQ Day and champion vocational qualifications which deserve to be viewed equally alongside academic study as a route to success, not only by young people but by adults planning career changes as well.”
Havering College offers a wide range of vocational courses across most sectors. For further information call Threshold Services on 01708 462801, email [email protected] or visit the website at:http://www.havering-college.ac.uk/
