As Gower College Swansea celebrates VQ Day 2018, some of our current students have been talking about why they chose to follow the vocational route through college.
Chloe Houlton is currently studying towards a Level 3 Diploma in Spa and Body Treatments at the Broadway Centre, having previously completed a Level 2 Diploma in Beauty Specialist Techniques.
“I decided to do a vocational qualification because it gives me the relevant skills I need for my job now and in the future,” says Chloe. “I’d describe my qualification as ‘positively different’, fun and great for skills development. I have a disability which affects my walking but this course hasn’t limited me in any way - if anything, it’s opened up more opportunities!”
Amy Strelley, who is following a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Children’s Care, Learning and Development at Gorseinon, agrees.
“My vocational course has enabled me to develop the necessary skills to achieve my ambition of a career in primary school education,” she says. “There is a good balance of academic and practical experiences throughout the course and I have had the opportunity to go on placement at a local primary school.”
Vocational qualifications have never been more important to the economy and the individual as 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.
Gower College Swansea offers around 40 vocational pathways for full time learners, including courses as diverse as catering, digital technology, beauty, sport and travel and tourism.
For Mariusz Gawarecki, who is currently on a Level 3 Diploma in Plumbing and Heating / Apprenticeship course, it was the ‘hands-on’ element that appealed – he previously completed a Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Engineering before training for a career in plumbing.
Mariusz has represented the college at various competitions across the country, including the prestigious HIP UK Heating Apprentice of the Year where he achieved second place. In 2015, he was named the college’s overall Engineering Student of the Year.
Another student representing the College on the national stage is Collette Gorvett who is on the Level 3 Diploma in Advanced Professional Cookery course at Tycoch.
Collette has earned a place in the Worldskills UK Squad team, which could see her representing her country at the Worldskills World Final in Russia in 2019. In addition, she was recently ‘Highly Commended’ in the Restaurant Services competition at the Worldskills National Finals at Birmingham’s NEC.
“My vocational qualification has opened up opportunities to take part in competitions that are directly related to the industry,” says Collette, who is hoping to secure a job at the five-star Gleneagles resort in Scotland when she finishes college. “I’ve been really supported by the staff at the college who go ‘above and beyond’ in helping me.”
Also pleased with his decision to follow the vocational pathway is Matthew Hammond, who is on the Level 3 Extended Diploma in Applied Science.
“I decided to do a vocational qualification because there was a big gap after my GCSE’s,” he says. “It’s a very practical course and easy to follow, which suits my way of learning, and is helping me towards a career in medicine.”
“Completing a vocational qualification has prepared me well for University,” echoes Callum O’Connor, a Level 3 Extended Diploma ICT student poised to take up a place at Swansea University studying Computer Science. “It is an accurate representation of my skills as it is assignment based. It also opened up great opportunities for me, such as travelling to Denmark for three weeks recently.”
Vocational qualifications can help individuals of all ages get the edge – whether that’s within their future or current careers or as a platform for further or higher education. VQ Day aims to recognise and celebrate the value of vocational achievement both for the individual and the wider community as only with appropriately trained and skilled people can we drive the UK economy forward.
VQ Day is organised jointly by the Welsh Government, the National Training Federation for Wales, Qualifications Wales and ColegauCymru / CollegesWales.
ENDS