National Celebration of Vocational Qualifications

NEW FIGURES REVEAL IMPACT OF VOCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
National celebration of vocational qualifications launched

Over 17 million people in the UK now hold a vocational qualification according to new research released ahead of the formal launch of the nation’s inaugural VQ Day.  The findings show that 38 per cent of the population have such a qualification, which include Apprenticeships, BTECs, City & Guilds, HNDs and NVQs, compared to 26 per cent with a degree and 32 per cent with an A-Level / Higher.

Yorkshire & the Humber is revealed as the stronghold of vocational learning (46 per cent) compared to 31 per cent of Londoners.  The numbers of Welsh (40 per cent), Northern Irish (39 per cent) and Scottish over 18s (37 per cent) with a vocational qualification were in line with the national average.

Despite the proliferation of vocational qualifications, prejudice against them is still rife, with less than half (44 per cent) of the population agreeing that vocational qualifications are as important as A-Levels.  To combat this and celebrate the achievements of learners, educational foundation Edge is today unveiling plans for the first VQ Day, to celebrate the nation’s vocational successes.

The Day will be launched today (23rd April) at a Parliamentary reception attended by colleges, learners, MPs and employers, and will be addressed by Minister for Further Education, Bill Rammell, ahead of the inaugural, nationwide Day on 23rd July 2008.  VQ Day is supported by the wider education community including exam boards, employers’ organisations, the Association of Colleges and the Association of Learning Providers. 

Andy Powell, CEO of Edge hopes that the day will raise public awareness about the value of vocational qualifications:
“Every year millions of people across the country study for and gain a vocational qualification, leading to further vocational study or university, better jobs and enhanced skills. However, despite these clear benefits, vocational qualifications sadly do not enjoy the prestige of their more academic counterparts.  The launch of VQ Day is just one step in starting to put this right.”

VQ Day itself will be marked by a national event in London, as well as regional events around the country.  An action pack is available for colleges and learning providers to download in order for them to hold their own VQ Day celebrations.  The Day will also see the publication of a report into the vocational qualifications landscape, which aims to be the first vocational 'census'.

A roll call of vocational success has been established at www.vqday.org for past and present vocational learners to log on and add their name to the list. Visitors to the website can also vote for their Celebrity VQ Hero 2008. The shortlist of five celebrities, all of whom have made their name after gaining a vocational qualification will be announced shortly.

David Frost, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce, added:
“Celebrating the success of the millions of people who achieve vocational qualifications every year is long overdue.  VQs properly prepare people not only for the work they are doing now but also help employees make a contribution to the development of their company.”

For more information visit www.vqday.org.

For interviews, case studies, online videos, background information or more detail on plans for 23rd July, please contact:
Heather Wilson or Zoe Penn, Band & Brown Communications, 020 7419 6950 / vqday@bbpr.com

Notes to Editors
All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc.  Total sample size was 4,173 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 15th - 18th April 2008.  The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+).

According to the Census 2001 (Office of National Statistics), there are 45,434,897 adults aged 18 and over, 38 per cent of this figure is 17,265,261.

About VQ Day – 23rd July 2008
Millions of people take a vocational qualification every year leading them on to further vocational study or university, better jobs and/or enhanced skills.  For too long, this success has gone without the recognition and celebration it deserves.  To raise the profile of vocational qualifications and celebrate vocational success ‘VQ Day’ is being launched.  VQ Day will be an official celebration of the people who gain vocational qualifications every year, and the people who help them achieve this success.

Plans for VQ Day are being led by Edge, the education foundation, in conjunction with the vocational qualifications community including, OCR, Federation of Awarding Bodies, Department for Innovation, University & Skills (DIUS), Edexcel, City & Guilds, EDI, Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM), Qualifications & Curriculum Authority (QCA), fforwm and the Association of Colleges, Association of Learning Providers, Ealing, Hammersmith and West London College among others. 

VQ Day will be launched at a parliamentary reception at the House of Commons on 23rd April and the inaugural Day will take place nationwide on 23rd July 2008.  A national celebration event will be held in London to showcase the diversity of vocational success, accompanied by a report examining the vocational qualifications landscape in the country.  It is hoped that regional events will also be staged and that VQ Day will help raise the profile, and communicate the value, of vocational qualifications to future students, potential employers and the wider public. 

A roll call of vocational success is being established online, with all learners past and present invited to add their name to the list of people across the UK who have gained a vocational qualification.  In addition, honorary vocational qualifications will be awarded on VQ Day to ‘VQ Heroes’ who embody vocational success.
To find out more visit www.vqday.org.

About Edge
Edge is dedicated to raising the profile of vocational and practical learning, with a skills rather than an academic focus. It wants educational standards raised through applying practical experience to learning and providing opportunities to excel through vocational, as well as academic, studies. Edge believes that this is essential for the future competitiveness of the nation.  For more information visit www.edge.co.uk.