VQ Awards 2014 now open for nominations
Employment and Learning Minister Dr Stephen Farry has formally launched the Vocational Qualifications (VQ) Awards 2014.
Nominations are now open for the two award categories; VQ Learner of the Year and VQ Employer of the Year.
The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony to be held in the Great Hall at Stormont as part of the UK-wide VQ Day celebrations taking place on Wednesday 4th June 2014.
Launching the awards, the Minister said, “VQ Day provides an opportunity for all those involved in the achievement, development and delivery of vocational qualifications to celebrate the importance of vocational education and training.
“The relevance of vocational qualifications to learners, employers and the growth of the Northern Ireland economy cannot be underestimated.
“Vocational qualifications play a vital role in ensuring that Northern Ireland’s employers have access to skilled personnel who are equipped with the right skills and knowledge to succeed in today’s economic environment.
“I recently launched the ‘Skills to Succeed’ campaign which supports the overall aims of my Department’s Skills Strategy ‘Success through Skills – Transforming Futures’.
“It aims to raise the skills level of the whole workforce, to ensure we are equipping people with the skills and qualifications, including vocational qualifications, which they need to achieve their full potential and to support our local businesses and the economy,” he added.
Ten learners will have their outstanding achievements recognised at the Northern Ireland awards ceremony on 4th June with the winner receiving the Northern Ireland VQ Learner of the Year trophy and an iPad air. There will be three finalists for the Employer of the Year award with the winner being presented with the Northern Ireland VQ Employer of the Year trophy.
This is the sixth year that VQ Day has been celebrated in Northern Ireland. The closing date for nominations for both awards is Friday 2nd May 2014.
Application forms, support materials and further information on VQ Day 2014 are available from http://www.delni.gov.uk/vqday.
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