On Wednesday I joined students at Ealing, Hammersmith and West London college to celebrate the first ever national VQ day. I was delighted to meet Sonia Ball (pictured) who is studying the make-up artist NVQ .

VQ Day is a national event launched to give recognition those choosing vocational or work-related education. VQ Day's official website can be found here.

Figures released to mark the occasion show that in the last year 3,250,000 vocational qualifications were awarded. Demand for skilled workers is at an all time high and so it is vitally important that efforts are made, both by colleges and by Government, to emphasise the value and quality of vocational qualifications. The quality is reliant on the teaching. Great learning would not be happenning if we did not have excellent institutions, such as this college.

Vocational qualification are a stepping stone to further study, better jobs and enhanced skills and for far too long, this success has gone without the recognition and celebration it deserves.

Ian Mackinnon, chair of the college, said "We’re thrilled that the idea has taken off so fast, and thrilled to be able to celebrate the talents of our vocational students today, just as next month we’ll be celebrating the success of our academic students. They all deserve their place in the sun."

You can watch the VQ Day launch video below and visit their official website by clicking here.