VQ Day was launched at a Parliamentary reception on April 23rd. VQ Day has been created to raise public awareness about the value of vocational qualifications. VQ Day, due to be held on 23rd July 2008, will be marked by a national event in London, as well as regional events held by colleges and learning providers around the country. The Day will also see the publication of a report into the vocational qualifications landscape.

Andrew Gwynne MP said:  “The launch of VQ Day is a huge step forward for the world of vocational learning. A vocational qualification can set people up for life and its high time that the hard work of colleges, students and employers is recognised nationally in this way.”

Plans for the Day are being led by education foundation, Edge, and are supported by the wider education community including exam boards, employers’ organisations, the Association of Colleges and the Association of Learning Providers. An action pack is also available for colleges and learning providers to download from www.vqday.org in order for them to hold their own VQ Day celebrations.

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 whom have made their name after gaining a vocational qualification will be announced shortly.

Andy Powell, CEO of Edge also hopes the Day will counter the prejudice which sees less than half (44%) of the population agree that vocational qualifications are as important as A-Levels:

“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.”