24 June 2010

The National Skills Academy for Creative & Cultural has taken part in the UK’s second annual VQ Day, which celebrates the contribution made by vocational qualifications across the country.

City College Plymouth, one of the National Skills Academy’s Founder Colleges, yesterday opened its doors to members of the community to celebrate their students’ vocational achievements. Guests had the opportunity to enjoy music and dance performances from creative industries students and sample gourmet food, which was prepared and served by the College's catering and hospitality students. City College Plymouth is one of over thirty venues across the UK hosting events to celebrate vocational qualifications.

VQ Day has also introduced a new UK-wide Industry Insider Prize, which will celebrate a different industry each year. This inaugural prize is open to vocational students studying for a career within the world of arts and entertainment and offers entrants a once-in-a-lifetime ‘hands on’ mentoring experience with leaders in their chosen field. NSA Founder Colleges Amersham and City College Norwich have both put forward students for the Industry Insider Prize.

A vocational qualification is a recognised qualification at any level relating to a particular line of work or specific job role. These qualifications have an emphasis on the assessment of practical skills and knowledge. Examples include NVQs, Apprenticeships, HNC/HNDs, degrees with a largely vocational content and professional qualifications awarded through a recognised professional body.

Creative & Cultural Skills is committed to ensuring that qualifications equip candidates with the right skills to work in the creative and cultural industries.

ENDS

For further information please contact Catherine Large, Director, External Relations at Creative & Cultural Skills: 020 7015 1828, Catherine.Large@ccskills.org.uk

Notes to editors:

Creative & Cultural Skills is the Sector Skills Council for the creative and cultural industries. Our remit includes craft, cultural heritage, design, literature, music, performing arts and visual arts across the UK. Creative & Cultural Skills was granted a new licence to operate by Lord Mandelson in January 2010.

Creative & Cultural Skills is a member of the Alliance of Sector Skills Councils. Together we oversee the strategic development of the workforce in our industries and deliver realistic solutions to skills needs.

www.ccskills.org.uk

The National Skills Academy for Creative & Cultural is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Creative & Cultural Industries plc, the Sector Skills Council for the creative and cultural industries.

The National Skills Academy for Creative & Cultural (NSA) operates as an industry-led membership organisation, developing the delivery of industry approved standards, training and related skills through its network of creative and cultural employers and education and training providers.

The mission is to establish an industry-led National Skills Academy, initially focusing on live music and technical theatre. The vision is of an internationally-acclaimed technical theatre and live music sector supporting the best stages in the world.

http://nsa-ccskills.co.uk

City College Plymouth aims to be the South West’s leading provider of innovative, skills-based, vocational education and training. With over 17,000 students and nearly 1,300 apprentices, the college has been formally recognised as both an Investor in Careers and an Investor in People.

http://www.cityplym.ac.uk

VQ Day is an initiative by Edge, the educational charity. Edge’s aim is for all young people to have the opportunity to achieve their potential, to ensure that the UK’s future workforce is equipped with the skills to succeed.

http://www.edge.co.uk/