24 June 2010
McDonald's, Whitbread, Merseytravel and Clugston Construction
were among 100 leading employers who came together today to
campaign for greater recognition of vocational qualifications and
discuss the positive impact they have on their businesses.
Over four million vocational qualifications (VQs) were awarded
last year according to new figures released today to mark VQ Day,
the annual nationwide celebration of vocational
qualifications. The overall number of VQs achieved has risen
over 11 per cent from last year - a rise welcomed by the
employers.
Co-hosted by independent education foundation Edge and Business
in the Community, the 'Is the future vocational' debate took place
at the Royal Horticultural Halls earlier today and included
representatives from BT, Vue Entertainment, BAE Systems, J
Sainsbury, Capgemini and Orange. Employers discussed how
businesses can make the most of vocational qualifications, called
for vocational qualifications to be more highly regarded across
industry and backed a call for more defined career progression at
higher levels for vocational careers.
Employers also discussed the benefits vocational learners bring
to the business citing improved confidence, enhanced performance,
reduced recruitment costs, increased productivity and reduced
absenteeism. Participating employers again reinforced their
commitment to developing staff at every level of the organisation
and across sectors.
John Hayes MP, Minister for Further Education, Skills and
Lifelong Learning added his voice to the debate and backed a
vocational future. Speaking at the national VQ Day event at
the Royal Horticultural Halls, Hayes said:
"VQ Day is an annual reminder of the victory millions of people
who gain vocational qualifications every year achieve.
"This year, University Technical Colleges - pioneered by Edge
chairman Lord Baker and the late Ron Dearing - have propelled
vocational education to the top of the political agenda.
"My ambition is that at each VQ Day, every year, we celebrate a
new triumph for vocational learning."
Copies of the 'Vocational Qualifications in the UK research
report' are available at www.vqday.org/about-vq-day.
Key findings were
- The biggest sector growth area is Science and
Maths (33 per cent increase) followed by Leisure, Travel and
Tourism qualifications (24 per cent increase),
- Higher level VQs are increasing with
foundation degrees growing strongly in England, Wales and Northern
Ireland. 18,850 were awarded across the UK compared to 15,000 the
previous year
- Health, Public Services & Care was the
biggest single sector for VQs in the UK in 2008-09, with over a
million qualifications achieved
- Workplace qualifications are also increasing
with 959,000 National and Scottish Vocational Qualifications
achieved, an increase of over 24 per cent on the previous year
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