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Barnet and Southgate College shines a light on students for VQ Day

The 5th annual VQ Day takes place on 20 June -  VQ stands for Vocational Qualification

VQ Daoy is a nationwide celebration of vocational qualifications for students, teachers and employers. It recognises the millions of talented and skilled people throughout the UK who are awarded VQs every year.

Barnet and Southgate College offers a number of Vocational Qualifications, which are recognised qualifications relating to a particular line of work or specific job role, with an emphasis on the assessment of practical skills and knowledge. Examples include BTECs, NVQ’s, Apprenticeships and foundation degrees with a largely vocational content. They cover a wide range of subjects from catering to construction, business, beauty therapy and care work. Debbie Grimmond, aged 46, is currently studying for a Vocational Qualification in Catering at the College’s Grahame Park Campus. Debbie has also recently been accepted to work as a chef on the Olympic Village at the London 2012 Games.

Debbie Grimmond, VQ student at Barnet and Southgate College said:

"I enrolled at Barnet and Southgate College in 2009 on the Foundation Basic Skills Course. I was 42 and unsure how to get back into education the part-time course really helped me with basic skills such as English, Maths and IT. This then gave me the confidence to complete a number of Vocational Qualifications in catering, including pastry skills and the Catering NVQ level 2; I’ve since won a Catering Award and helped at a number of College events. Being a part-time student has been ideal as it’s worked around me bringing up six children, two of which are now studying here also.

With my new qualifications under my belt, I start a new job at the Olympic Village next month! I’ll be assisting the Executive Chefs, helping plan and design menus for all the athletes and attending dignitaries, it’s so exciting. I’ll also be responsible for twenty other catering staff in my ‘pod’, of which there will be four at the Olympic Village, all serving different cuisines, I’m working within the British cuisine ‘pod’. If someone had told me four years ago that this is what I’d be doing, I’d have said they were joking but it’s true and going to College has helped change my life!”

If you’re interested in studying for a Vocational Qualification at Barnet and Southgate College call: 020 866 400, or email info@barnetsouthgate.ac.uk .

ENDS

Notes to editors:

  • Barnet and Southgate College is a highly successful further education college with around 20,000 students of all ages from 14 years upwards. The College occupies three main campuses: Southgate, Grahame Park at Colindale and the brand new town centre campus at Wood St, High Barnet. Follow our news on Facebook  and Twitter .
  • The College is recognised for the broad range of its courses and the high quality of its teaching. Full and part time courses for young people and adults include A levels, foundation degrees, professional qualifications, vocational studies, and skills based training and education for people with learning difficulties and disabilities. The College also supports people who are unemployed or at risk of redundancy with specialised courses. 
  •    The College has strong links with partners such as the London Boroughs of Barnet and Enfield, Middlesex University and local schools. It also works in partnership with local, regional and national employers, in particular through Training for London, a specialist subsidiary which provides bespoke training for large and small employers.