VQ DAY BACKED BY ALL PARTIES

The second annual day to celebrate vocational achievement was launched at a Parliamentary reception at the Houses of Parliament on 4th March. VQ Day 2009 will be held on 24th June to recognise the success of millions of vocational learners around the UK in the past year.
The day will be marked by events held at colleges and learning providers across the country.
Plans for the Day are being led by Band & Brown on behalf of independent education foundation Edge, and are supported by the wider education community including examination boards, employers' organisations, the Association of Colleges and the Association of Learning Providers.
Colleges, learning providers and employers around the country are urged to get involved. An action pack is available for colleges and learning providers to download from www.vqday.org in order for them to hold their own VQ Day celebrations.
The Parliamentary launch was supported by all major political parties with a video of their comments.
Andy Powell, chief executive of Edge, commented:
"Millions of people will gain a vocational qualification this year that will be the stepping stone to a brighter future, be that further vocational study or university, a better job or enhanced skills. VQ Day celebrates this achievement and the many paths to success taken by learners of all ages. I hope the whole country, and all political parties, will once again get behind VQ Day and join the celebrations."