Practical Makes Perfect - Plymouth girl named South West VQ Young Learner of the Year 2009

Rachel Hockaday from City College Plymouth was today named VQ Hero - Young Learner of the Year 2009 for the South West.

The VQ Hero Awards are part of VQ Day taking place on 24 June, a national celebration of vocational achievement and the many paths to success taken by learners of all ages. The Awards demonstrate the talent, commitment and rigorous standards involved in gaining a vocational qualification.

Rachel has now been invited to represent the region at the national VQ Day ceremony where the overall national VQ Hero for England will be presented their award by celebrity chef James Martin, who is a vocational learner himself. National awards will also be presented to winners in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland on VQ Day.

Rachel was selected by the judges for her dedication to vocational learning and huge success in her chosen field. Rachel is an advanced apprentice currently working with Kawasaki Precision Manufacturing while attending City College Plymouth on a day release basis.  She is a highly motivated young woman who is excelling within what is still a largely male dominated environment. Rachel’s commitment, enthusiasm and determination meant she achieved her initial Apprenticeship ahead of schedule and has now progressed onto an Advanced Apprenticeship in Mechanical Manufacturing Engineering.

On receiving news of the award win, Rachel said: “I am very proud to be receiving this award, I feel that this is a great acknowledgment for Kawasaki as they are able to provide all their apprentices with a wide range of training.”

John Kerr, operations director at independent education foundation Edge and a member of the judging panel, added: “It’s an absolute pleasure to be able to be able to honour someone like Rachel. She is a fantastic example of the progression and opportunities that vocational qualifications can offer, living proof that there are many paths to success and an inspiration to us all. Rachel is one of the millions who take a vocational qualification every year as a stepping stone to a brighter future – VQ Day celebrates these learners’ achievements and those who help them gain this success.”

Colleges, learning providers and employers around the country nominated their high-flying vocational students for the VQ Hero Awards in two categories:
VQ Hero - Learner of the Year
VQ Hero – Young Learner of the Year

Over 400 learners were nominated in total, with nominations judged by a panel comprising representatives from Edge, Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills, the Association of Colleges and the Association of Learning Providers.