THE achievements of students taking vocational qualifications have been celebrated at York College.

The college, on Sim Balk Lane, hosted its annual VQ (Vocational Qualifications) Student of the Year Awards, recognising individual students for their high achievement, motivation and hard work on their vocational courses. Each of the successful award winning students was presented with VQ Student of the Year certificate and a voucher.

The guest speaker was Jon Stonehouse, the newly appointed director of education at City of York Council.

Principal Alison Birkinshaw, said: “We enjoy celebrating the success of our vocational students at this time of year so that they receive the recognition they deserve. Vocational qualifications are extremely important locally and nationally and provide students with the necessary skills and qualifications required to succeed in the world of work or in progression to higher levels of education and training.

"At York College we offer over eighty full-time vocational courses and our results are in the top ten per cent nationally for 16-18 year olds. Each year around 400 of our vocational students progress to universities up and down the country, and many more go into employment. I would like to congratulate all our vocational students on their achievements and wish them well in their future careers.”

VQ Students of the Year 2014

Art, Design & Crafts

Karolina Noworloska - Student of the Year: Art, Design & Crafts Level 1 & 2

Naomi Noda - Student of the Year: Extended Diploma in Art, Design & Crafts

Nathaniel Hunt - Student of the Year: Diploma Foundation Studies in Art, Design & Crafts

Business & Professional Studies

Kelly Steer - Student of the Year: Business Level 2

Emma Johnson - Student of the Year: Business Level 3

Tara Barnes - Student of the Year: Business & Administration

Child Studies

Fay Burton - Student of the Year: Diploma in Childcare and Education Level 2

Emily Cooper - Student of the Year: BTEC National Diploma in Children's Care, Learning and Development Level 3

Heather Allardyce - Student of the Year: CACHE Diploma in Childcare and Education Level 3

Construction

Joe Rowntree - Student of the Year: Diploma in Bricklaying Level 2

Sam Turner - Student of the Year: Diploma in Stonemasonry Level 3

Brian Stebbings - Student of the Year: Best Performance in Extended Diploma Level 3

Engineering

Ben Whitehead - Student of the Year: Work Based Learning in Engineering

Joe Gledhill - Student of the Year: Engineering

Donval Parker - Student of the Year: Best Endeavour Extended Diploma in Manufacturing Engineering

Hair, Beauty & Holistic Therapies

Harriet Forth - Student of the Year: Diploma in Beauty Therapy Level 3

Lorna Eddon Easton - Student of the Year: Work-based Learning NVQ in Hairdressing Level 2

Yasmin Cooper - Student of the Year: Diploma in Hairdressing Level 2

Health & Social Care

Carla Ridsdale - Student of the Year: Health and Social Care Level 2

Lois Grainger - Student of the Year: Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care Level 3

Sarah Newby - Student of the Year: Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care Level 3

Hospitality, Travel & Tourism

James Boyle - Student of the Year: Work Based Learner/Apprentice in Hospitality

Rhianna Coote - Student of the Year: Travel and Tourism

Luke Stephenson - Student of the Year: Hospitality

IT & Computing

Alex Wilkinson - Student of the Year: BTEC Diploma for IT Users Level 1

Aston Wright - Student of the Year: BTEC Diploma for IT Users Level 2

Alexandra-Fee Stewart - Student of the Year: BTEC Diploma in IT Level 3

Media & Performance

James Brown - Student of the Year: Music

Jessica Edkins - Student of the Year: Performing Arts

William Horsefield - Student of the Year: Media

Science

Edouard Depret - Student of the Year: Extended Diploma in Applied Science Year 1

Georgia Heppell - Student of the Year: Extended Diploma in Applied Science Year 2

Sport & Public Services

Rachel Granger - Student of the Year: Sport Science

Rosie Gillies - Student of the Year: Public Services

Tom Bateson - Student of the Year: Extended Diploma in Sport Level 3