VQ Day

VQ Day 2009 will take place on 24 June 2009 – a celebration of the people who gain vocational qualifications every year, and those who help them achieve this success.

VQ Day was launched in 2008 to raise the profile of vocational qualifications and celebrate vocational success.  Edge is  the educational foundation behind the event with support from many of the leading players in the vocational education community.

"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."
Andy Powell, CEO of Edge

VQ stands for Vocational Qualification. A VQ means a recognised qualification at any level relating to a particular line of work or specific job role. These 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. They cover subjects that range from agriculture to accountancy, business to beauty therapy, care work to construction and many more.

There are various ways for learning providers to get involved on the day to showcase their achievements as well as those of their students. The VQ Day web site offers a whole host of information and support for those interested and tells you what else is happening around the country.