From education to employment

Three Gower College Swansea students in the running for VQ Awards 2019

Gower College Swansea is absolutely delighted to have not one, not two, but three students named as VQ Award finalists for 2019.

First up is Reagan Locke, who is in the running for the title of VQ Higher Learner of the Year.

For the past three years, Reagan has worked within the technical laboratories of Tata Steel. He has also successfully completed a Higher National Certificate in Applied Chemistry (Distinction) at Gower College Swansea, which allowed him to progress straight into a second year part time degree course in chemistry at Swansea University.

This is not the first award that Reagan has been nominated for – in 2018, he was named runner-up in the Institute of Minerals, Materials and Mining’s Technician of the Year awards. 

Meanwhile former student Collette Gorvett, who now works at The Ritz in London, is up for the title of VQ Intermediate Learner of the Year.

Collette joined Gower College Swansea in 2015 to study the Level 1 Diploma in Professional Cookery before progressing through to Level 3 Diploma in Advanced Professional Cookery, Kitchen and Larder.

In addition to her academic achievements, Collette’s involvement in skills competitions at Welsh, British and European levels have made her an outstanding advocate for vocational learning. She has recently gained a place on Team UK and will represent her country at the WorldSkills Finals in Russia in August. She also gives masterclasses to up and coming competitors and acts as a mentor/ambassador for Inspiring Skills events.

Also nominated for a VQ Intermediate Learner of the Year award is Alex Davies. Initially enrolled on an electrical installation course, Alex soon transferred to Gower College Swansea’s Bridge programme which gave him a taste of different curriculum areas. It was there that his passion for working with young children was realised.

Since committing to childcare in 2015, Alex has completed CACHE Levels 1 and 2 in Children’s Care Learning and Development (CCLD) as well as courses in emergency first aid and paediatric first aid, and is now well on his way to completing the Level 3 Diploma.

It was his placement at a local primary school that truly demonstrated Alex’s natural ability to work with young children and he has since been offered a full time position.

What helps to set Alex apart is his outstanding commitment to learning in the face of adversity. Difficulties at school and in his home life, coupled with a daily three-hour round bus trip to college, has shown his determination to succeed and has made him a role model who can inspire others.

VQ Day celebrates vocational achievement and the benefits of technical, practical and vocational learning to both the individual and the UK economy

All three students will find out if they have been chosen as winners at a special awards ceremony at The National Museum Cardiff on the evening of 15 May.


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