Chris Lyttle MLA said: “Vocational qualifications can provide people with key skills for valuable careers and ensure that potential employers know you have the relevant skills and training.
“Just like academic education, vocational qualifications can provide recognition for learning and understanding.
“They provide trained and skilled apprentices and employees that we need to sustain our economy. We need to seek the right balance between academic and vocational routes, if either is over emphasised it will be to the detriment of the opportunities that will be available to our young people.
“I hope that we can use VQ Day to promote vocational qualifications. If anybody is interested in going down this route then I would encourage them to contact the Careers Service or go to http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/index/information-and-services/education-and-learning/careers/education-and-training/training.htm“
ENDS