Nominations open for vq employer and learner awards 2014

Salon owners are being encouraged to enter themselves and their talented learners for  the VQ Employer and Learner Awards. Salon owners can put themselves forward for the VQ Employer of the Year Award sponsored by City & Guilds. The VQ Employer of the Year was introduced in 2013 to recognise those bosses who promote the value of vocational qualifications in the workplace. In 2014 there are two categories for this award – SME (1-249 employees) and Large Employers (250-plus employees). Employers are also being encouraged to nominate outstanding students for the VQ Learner of the Year sponsored by OCR. The awards aim to raise awareness of the relevance of vocational education, following research by independent education charity, the Edge Foundation which shows many young people are still being actively discouraged from opting for vocational education, with just a quarter of parents (27%) judging it to be worthwhile. The deadline for submissions for the Awards is 2 May 2014. For more information visit www.vqday.org.uk/vq-awards