Success Stories
Paul Cockram of Sussex Downs College was today named VQ Hero - Learner of the Year 2009 for the South East.
The VQ Hero Awards are part of VQ Day taking place on 24th 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.
Paul has been undertaking a NVQ level 2 in Heritage Care and Visitor Services with Sussex Downs College. He has previously won the FE Sussex Train to Gain Learner of the Year Award and was highly commended in the South East Learning and Skills Council Train to Gain Outstanding Learner of the Year Award.
Paul 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.
Jackie Bennett programme coordinator for management and cultural heritage at the college said: "Paul has shown outstanding dedication to achieving his qualifications, always going the extra mile to provide superb quality work over and above that required. Throughout his courses, Paul has supported himself with casual paid work while volunteering at Bexhill and Rye Castle Museums. Paul's qualifications have led to him being given greater responsibility for conservation at the museum and his employer greatly values the professional skills he has gained. In addition to this, Paul has conducted research into an environmental eco project which will benefit the entire community and has received attention from the New Zealand Government. Paul has done all this with a sense of humour, goodwill and reticence, despite various health issues."
Paul said: "I have worked in a variety of roles over the years. The Train to Gain initiative seemed to meet my needs and support the work I was undertaking. I soon discovered the NVQ required me to build a portfolio of evidence following the plans provided by my assessor. It also included taking NVQ level 2 literacy and NVQ level 1 numeracy, as this filled a gap in my qualifications. I have experienced a number of physical challenges with mobility problems. However I have been determined to overcome these challenges. Since winning this prestigious Award, I am very excited to have received my first commission to repair a British Romano vase and I am hoping that my new qualifications and VQ Hero Award will assist me in continuing to gain further paid work and employment within the Heritage Sector."
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 Paul. He 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. Paul 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."
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.
For more information about VQ Day and the VQ Hero Awards, please visit www.vqday.org.
