Staff and students at Nelson and Colne College Sixth Form gathered together to celebrate VQ Day – a national day to recognise the outstanding achievements of students who have completed vocational qualifications.
Nelson and Colne College Sixth Form has an extensive range of vocational programmes which aim to prepare young people for the world of work, by supplying an in-depth education alongside practical skills. Each year, hundreds of students from the College progress to university to study exciting and challenging degree programmes; and later, they go on to achieve fulfilling careers.
Vocational qualifications have never been more important to the economy and the individual; they deliver the trained, talented employees businesses are crying out for and ensure young people have the skills needed to succeed in education and work. The College is therefore proud of its vocational students and what they go on to achieve after leaving the College.
Assistant Principal – Vocational, Carrie Parr said, “VQ Day is a nationally recognised as a day which celebrates the success of all vocational students across the country. In its seventh year, the event sees colleges, schools and training providers’ learners, all doing something to celebrate their successes. Their value is increasingly recognised by the Government and are being heavily invested in, to ensure that the learning experience and qualification itself is robust and fit for purpose for chosen careers. At Nelson and Colne, we have over one thousand vocational leaners, on a range of courses, at different levels and our success and achievement rates are exceptional. Our mission for every one of them is to experience a rich career curriculum, leading to employment of choice. It was a great opportunity to gather just some of our fantastic vocational students together to give three cheers for their exceptional achievements.”
Last year, numerous students from our vocational programmes went on to achieve outstanding success and progressed to university for the next step of their education. Below is just a snapshot of student successes.
Joweria Rashid
Joweria is a former pupil of Ghuasia Girls High School who chose to study for the Level 3 Extended Diploma in Science, where she achieved the top grades, a Triple Distinction*. These results allowed her to progress to the University of Manchester to read Pharmacy.
Tyler Potts
Tyler is a former pupil of Colne Park High School who completed Levels 1, 2 and 3 in Hairdressing at the College. Tyler is highly creative and his personality and talents meant he was the only hairdressing student in the whole country to gain a place to study Hair and Make-up for Film and TV at the University of the Arts, London.
Jonathan Nadin
Jonathan is a former pupil of Blessed Trinity RC College who completed Level 3 in Professional Cookery at the College. He is now working as a Commis Chef at Harrogate’s Rudding Park Hotel, which is an AA 4 Red Star Hotel and has been voted as the UK’s number 1 Hotel by Trip Advisor.
Georgina Proctor
A former pupil of Colne Park High School, Georgina completed the Level 3 Extended Diploma in Business, gaining a Triple Distinction*. She has now progressed to Leeds Metropolitan University to read Events Management.
Kaleem Ali
Kaleem is a former pupil of Marsden Heights Community College who completed a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Engineering. He has now progressed to the University of York to read Electronic Engineering.
Dan Wright
A former pupil of Netherside Hall School, Dan completed Levels 1, 2 and 3 in Hospitality. He has now gained employment at Heston Blumenthal’s Michelin starred restaurant The Hind’s Head in Berkshire.
Zak Boardman
Zak is a former pupil of SS John Fisher and Thomas More Catholic Humanities College who completed the Level 3 Extended Diploma in Public Services. He has now progressed to the University of Wolverhampton where he reading Fire and Rescue.
