The Vocational Champion Project, the flagship project of the Aimhigher VPR Programme is now heading toward the end of its second year. To mark this event the programme team have once again presented participation awards to the institutions and learners in recognition of their achievement in progression to Higher Education. The partners were asked to nominate a learner who has successfully progressed to HE, gained a place in HE in the coming academic year or overcome personal or academic barriers to HE progression.

Aigburth Training Opportunities Award this year went to Laura Dobson. Laura is 18 and is completing her Advanced Apprenticeship in Childcare, Learning and Development. She studies part time at ATO whilst also attending her placement at Granby Children's Centre. Laura wants to become a social worker and hopes to go to university once her level 3 is completed. Laura's advice to other Apprentices is to, "get qualifications they will help you gain employment". Laura has also successfully completed her level 2 in Childcare and returned to ATO after having her daughter Imogen. Laura is pictures with Gareth Thomas from ATO.

St Helens College's Award was presented by Deirdre Lynskey (Programme Manager for Aimhigher Greater Merseyside) to Rachael Crosby (19) who is currently working towards her Btec National Diploma IT Practitioners Award. Rachael has been accepted by Liverpool John Moore's University and will start a Forensic Computing Degree in September 2010.Rachael was nominated by her tutor, Sue Mather and vocational champion, Rob Barker for her hard work and dedication over the last year. Rachael has needed to overcome difficult family circumstances but has remained up to date with all her studies. Sue Mather said, "she is a credit to herself, her family and the college".

Business students and staff from Liverpool Community College taking part in the Vocational Champion Programme recently held an awards evening to celebrate the success of the programme.

10 learners where presented with a certificate and voucher at Zeligs Restaurant in Liverpool One. All the learners who received awards will be progressing onto higher education and had been chosen for their hard work and outstanding contribution throughout the programme with many identifying the Aimhigher initiative as the main reason they had decided to progress onto higher education.

The learners had attended a trip to Leeds University where they had an opportunity to experience what life is like as a student in higher education. Award Winners.: Afraa Al-Kathiry, Sarah Baird, Ben-Anthony Carberry, Michael Chrysokhou, James Dillon, Kyishia Isiorho, Hewa Khzrey, Mouna Saeed, Kyle Thorngood, Steven Winstanley-Smith.

Alder Training's Award went to Martin
Nelson. Martin (24) is an Adult Advanced Apprentice at Fazackerly Hospital. He has completed his NVQ 3 Health Award alongside a technical certificate in Health & Social Care. He is currently working as General Nursing Assistant and hopes to start Edge Hill University in April 2011. Martin would like to specialise in Oncology. Martin's advice to all health Apprentices is, "complete your training as it is a good springboard into Nursing". Martin is pictured her with Jean White his assessor and one of the Vocational champions at Alder Training and Alana.

For more information on the vocational progression routes programme visit:

www.ahgtm.ac.uk/vocational