Learning "Heroes" announced
Wednesday, 24 June 2009Employment and Learning Minister Sir Reg Empey today announced the Northern Ireland Learner of the Year and Young Learner of the Year.
The Minister made the announcement at the first ever VQ Hero awards at a VQ (Vocational Qualifications) Day ceremony at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast.
VQ Day is a UK-wide celebration of the achievement of the millions of people who gain a vocational qualification every year, and highlights the many paths to success taken by learners of all ages.
Speaking at the ceremony Sir Reg said: “Vocational qualifications can set people up for life, and it is most fitting that the hard work of colleges, students and employers in Northern Ireland is recognised nationally in this way.
“Vocational qualifications underpin everything my Department is doing to raise the skills levels of the local population. This is why we are recognising vocational achievement through the celebration of VQ Day.
From the 20 shortlisted finalists, two overall winners were named today: Alex Greene in the ‘NI Young Learner’ category (24 years and under) and Geraldine Byrne in the ‘NI Learner’ category (25 years and over).
Congratulating the winners and those shortlisted, the Minister added: “Impressively, some of our applicants have already gone on to start their own businesses, a number of whom are now employing apprentices. This demonstrates very clearly the ‘can-do’ attitude that we need to lift our economy from the current recession. It also confirms that Northern Ireland’s proud history of hard work and innovation is being carried on through our VQ Hero finalists this year.”
A roll call of vocational success has been established at VQ Day website 
for past and present vocational learners to log on and add their name to the list. Millions of people gain a vocational qualification, and the roll call is one way of marking that achievement.
For background information or more detail on plans for VQ Day 2010, contact: Linda Berg on 028 9025 7506 or email linda.berg@delni.gov.uk.
Notes to Editors
About VQ Day – 24th June 2009
1. Millions of people will gain a vocational qualification this year, and this will be their stepping stone to a brighter future. VQ Day celebrates this achievement and the many paths to success taken by learners of all ages.
2. VQ Day in Northern Ireland is being led by the Department for Employment and Learning in conjunction with the vocational qualifications community in Northern Ireland.
3. A roll call of vocational success has been established online, with all learners past and present invited to add their name to the list of people across the UK who have gained a vocational qualification. In addition to the two Northern Ireland ‘VQ Heroes’ recognised today, the following nominees received runner up certificates:
NI Young Learner of the Year
James Devine
Katie Forker
Neil Frew
Patrick Gillian
Stephen Irwin
Gary McCullough
Ronan McGahon
Lindsey Nicholl
Kevin White
NI Learner of the Year
Tyrone Best
Brian Callan
Emma Headley
Liam Jackson
Maureen McDevitt
Joseph McLarnon
Elizabeth Nolan
Hayley Sargent
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