Various members of HTMA (Highways Term Maintenance Association) will be celebrating VQ Day on Thursday 23 June to recognise the achievement of many employees who have been successful in gaining their chosen qualification.

Employers recognise the value of vocational qualifications (VQs) and the real tangible benefits they bring to individuals and employers. The manner in which VQs equip employees with the specific skills and experience they need in their jobs, means the employee is able to deliver a genuine contribution to the business. Employers can be assured that their workforce is competent and appropriately trained, giving the business a realistic opportunity to meet its aims and objectives.

Kristine Pollock, Chair of HTMA People Working Group, commented: "Many careers are based on the foundation of a vocational qualification. We need to attract new talent into the highways maintenance industry and having various different routes for people to develop their career is essential to make the industry accessible to all. Some people choose to study for a degree and attend university but for many the VQ route suits them and gives them a real sense of fulfillment.

"VQs are important because they're practical. The knowledge and skills they give people can be used immediately at work and peoples' ability in their role can be assessed in the workplace rather than based on exams or similar evaluation techniques. The range of VQs means there are qualifications available to suit most individuals and organisations."

VQ Day is a national celebration of vocational qualifications for students, teachers and employers. Last year 3.6 million vocational qualifications were awarded and millions of people will achieve similar success this year.

Editors Notes:

VQ Day was launched in 2008 to raise the stature of practical and vocational learning and celebrate vocational achievement. The 3rd annual VQ Day will take place nationwide on 23rd June 2010. HTMA's membership of leading consultants and contractors has a combined turnover of more than £3 billion, over 20,000 employees and maintains approximately 400,000 km of highway across the UK - approximately 80% of British roads.

The HTMA members are: Amey,Atkins, Balfour Beatty, BAM Nuttall, BEAR Scotland, Carillion, Colas, Costain, Enterprise, Volker Highways, Halcrow, Hyder, Jacobs, May Gurney, Morrison, Mott MacDonald, Mouchel, Ringway, Scott Wilson and Skanska. Kiely Bros, Nynas, Petroplus and WJ Linkline Group are Associate Members.

Issued on behalf of the HTMA Press Office by Joan Roemmele. For enquiries from the media, journalists and researchers only, the HTMA Press Office can be contacted on +44 (0) 1782 443080, +44 (0) 7917 638336 or e-mail: joan@htma.co.uk