Wakefield College | News | College student scoops prestigious award

College student scoops prestigious award

Former Wakefield College student Ann Ramsden, has been named VQ Hero - Learner of the Year 2009 for Yorkshire and the Humber region.

The VQ Hero Awards are part of VQ Day taking place on 24th June, a national celebration of vocational achievement and the many paths to success taken by learners of all ages. The Awards demonstrate the talent, commitment and rigorous standards involved in gaining a vocational qualification.

Ann, who was described by a member of the judging panel as ‘an inspiration to us all’ has now been invited to represent the region at the national VQ Day ceremony where the overall national VQ Hero for England will be presented with their award by celebrity chef James Martin, a vocational learner himself. National awards will also be presented to winners in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland on VQ Day.
Ann was selected by the judges for her dedication to vocational learning and huge success in her chosen field. Ann started a Foundation Degree in Health and Social Care at Wakefield College, with little self-belief and difficulties with literacy, but through her hard work she graduated with good grades.
Ann went on to set up a family centre, working with children who have suffered domestic abuse and soon built up a reputation for earning both victims’ and perpetrators’ trust and respect. She now takes trainee social workers on placement to help pass on some of the skills she has developed, and regularly speaks to health and social care groups about the work she is doing. Ann is currently doing a top-up degree at the University of Bradford and has also written a module on domestic abuse for use at the University.
Receiving news of the award win, Ann said: “I am overwhelmed, particularly considering the lack of confidence I had in my abilities to achieve academically. I was not sure if I could complete the Foundation Degree and gain the qualifications I needed to support my passion for developing a service for changing learnt behaviours. But my tutor, Vicky Stevenson, recognised my passion and practical skills and encouraged and guided me towards achieving the qualification.”

Vicky, who nominated Ann for the award said: “Ann is an excellent example of someone who came to College with no self-belief, real difficulties with literacy but who with the right guidance, graduated, making me the most proud and happy tutor on the planet!

“She serves her community so well, addressing an issue that has been ‘hidden’ for so long. Her focus is children but Ann is the first person in this field who also works with perpetrators of abuse. She builds trust and respect and she gets results! Ann is an inspiration; once met, never forgotten.”

John Kerr, operations director at independent education foundation, Edge, and a member of the judging panel, said: “It’s an absolute pleasure to be able to be able to honour someone like Ann. She is a fantastic example of the progression and opportunities that vocational qualifications can offer, living proof that there are many paths to success and an inspiration to us all. Ann is one of the millions who take a vocational qualification every year as a stepping stone to a brighter future – VQ Day celebrates these learners’ achievements and those who help them gain this success.”

Colleges, learning providers and employers around the country nominated their high-flying vocational students for the VQ Hero Awards in two categories:

VQ Hero - Learner of the Year
VQ Hero – Young Learner of the Year

Over 400 learners were nominated in total, with nominations judged by a panel comprising representatives from Edge, Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills, the Association of Colleges and the Association of Learning Providers.