VQ day, the annual nationwide celebration of vocational qualifications, saw colleges and learning providers from across the nation celebrating their creativity and expertise in front of an audience of influential MPs and entertainment icon Arlene Phillips OBE.

Beating off stiff competition from around the country to appear at the event, which showcases the country’s finest vocational achievements, learners from CNWL displayed a hands-on brick laying exhibit.

Attendees were able to try bricklaying and measure their attempts against a small wall prepared by two of the College’s third year apprentices: Daniel Howard, 21 and living Watford, and Michael Duggan, 19 and also from Watford.

The event coincided with the announcement that a record 4 million vocational qualifications were awarded last year. This year’s celebrations at the illustrious Royal Horticultural Halls in London are part of the biggest ever celebration of vocational achievement in the UK.

Vicki Fagg, Principal of the College of North West London, said: “VQ Day is a great opportunity for us to show the quality of work that goes on at the College of North West London.”

“One of our students, Daniel Howard, is a WorldSkills UK regional champion and recently won the Guild of Bricklayers Competition in Hackney – he’s one of the best young bricklayers in the country,” Ms Fagg said.

“And Michael Duggen is another one of our star bricklayers, picking up the bronze medal at the Hackney competition.”

“I know our group were thrilled to show Lord Baker and Arlene Philips the ins and outs of bricklaying,” she said.

VQ Day is an initiative from independent education foundation Edge and aims to recognise the success of these millions of vocational learners across the country.

Events took place at colleges and learning providers across the UK, and VQ Day ambassador and entertainment icon, Arlene Phillips, commented:  “VQ Day is a chance to celebrate the millions of people who have achieved vocational success and I am honoured to be a part of this.

"This event is a great opportunity to showcase the huge variety of qualifications available and the many paths that are open to achieving your dream career. 

"When I was growing up all I wanted to be was a dancer and I wouldn’t have been able to achieve the success I have gained without my vocational qualification.”

Peter Mitchell, Education Director at Edge, commented: “There have been over 100 events across the country celebrating VQ Day all showing the wealth of vocational talent that our country has to offer and the many paths to success available. 

"This year has been the UK’s third annual VQ Day and it great to remind people that vocational qualifications give people the knowledge and experience they need to achieve their dreams.”

VQ Day is being sponsored by Edexcel, City & Guilds, Ofqual, AAT and EDI and is supported by the wider education community.

Photo Shows:

From Left to Right – Daniel Howard , Tim Weston , Michael Duggan , Arlene Phillips , Mark Power , Stephen Martin (From Channel 4’s Undercover Boss, Chief Executive Clugston Group)