Sir John Hall plants tree to celebrate VQ DAY

 To mark Vocational Qualifications (VQ) Day Train to Gain provider LDR Squared invited Sir John Hall, and local Labour MP Dennis Murphy to plant the first of many trees on the ecological site at Earth Balance in Bedlington Northumberland.

The company wanted to find a way to support the achievements of their learners and used the 2nd annual VQ Day on 24 June 2009 to launch its 'DNA for a Successful Business Programme' where learners who complete a qualification will be invited to plant a tree on the site. The programme is supported by funding from the Learning and Skills Council and the European Social Fund.

VQ Day has been designed to celebrate the success of those people who have gained, or are engaged with vocational qualifications. VQ Day 2009 was launched at a Parliamentary reception on 4 March.

National Vocational Qualifications have shown their value in all of the organisations which LDR Squared has supported. NVQs show an emphasis on practical skills and expertise which relate to real businesses. This makes a VQ the best sort of qualification to show the ability of a workforce to follow procedures and meet quality standards.

By planting a tree to show support for this important day and its implications, Sir John Hall, Dennis Murphy, and LDR Squared have shown the importance they place on the environment.

Tim Ong, Learning and Development Manager with LDR Squared, explains "Our aim is to work with companies to build capacity so that we leave a positive legacy. We are based on an environmental site and we see the development of an orchard is a great way of making sure that there is a lasting contribution to the site."

The idea for the orchard evolved from the work of two of LDR Squared's learners who embarked upon a Learning and Development qualification. Donna and Jane used the principle of a 'learning tree' to illustrate where a learner is at the start of a learning programme and how their skills grow through training.

LDR Squared is supporting the launch of VQ Day 2009 and is urging learners past and present to join the celebrations by signing up to the vocational qualifications roll call at www.vqday.org.