Former City of Bath College catering student Chris Emery has been named the VQ Learner of the Year 2012 for the South West.
The VQ Learner of the Year Awards, now in their fifth year, form part of VQ Day, an annual celebration of people who gain vocational qualifications every year in the UK. The event aims to raise the status of technical, practical and vocational learning and the value vocational qualifications bring to learners, businesses and wider society.
Chris, from Bath, beat off competition from across the region and is now in the running for the national award, along with vocational learners from eight other English regions. On Wednesday 20th June, Chris will attend London’s prestigious BAFTA venue, where former Education Secretary Lord Baker, Chairman of independent education charity Edge Foundation, and Rt. Hon Dr Vince Cable MP, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, will announce the overall winner.
Chris impressed the judges with his outstanding host of achievements both in his studies and his career. Having secured seven vocational qualifications in the field of food and hospitality, including four NVQs, two VRQs and, an ACB, he went on to win Gold in the Under-23 Bath Chef V Chef competition and Bronze in the WorldSkills 2011 competition for his pastry skills.
Chris’s skills secured him a role with the world-famous Roux family at the Waterside Inn in Bray – one of the UK’s leading restaurants. He also continues to return to College regularly to offer advice to students planning on following a similar route as him.
On receiving the award for the South West, Chris said: “I’m so grateful to have won the VQ Learner of the Year Award for the South West. In my three years at City of Bath College I have felt supported and have grown in my progression to become the best in my field.
“I am passionate about food, cooking it and presenting it and I would like to pursue a career in the Michelin restaurant industry.
“I would not be where I am today if I had not studied for my vocational qualifications – they have really helped hone my skills and given me direction. I would encourage other budding chefs to consider their vocational options as this industry requires a hands-on approach and I can’t think of a better way to get started.”
Jan Hodges, CEO of independent education foundation Edge, which leads VQ Day, added: “High quality vocational qualifications play a vital role in society, providing young people with the skills, experience and clear progression routes they need to get ahead. The judges were hugely impressed by Chris’s vocational achievements and this award is richly deserved. We wish Chris every success in his future career and hope other learners in the South West will recognise from this inspirational story that there are many paths to success.”
For more information about VQ Day and the VQ Learner of the Year Awards, please visit www.vqday.org.uk.
