A Redbridge College pharmacy graduate has praised the impact vocational qualifications had on his career, ahead of this year’s national VQ Day.

Pharmacist Ketan Vyas, 25, a former Redbridge College, Barley Lane, Little Heath student, who after studying a vocational science qualification, went on to achieve a 2:1 in Pharmacy MPharm (Hons) at the University of Hertfordshire.

VQ Day, which takes place on Wednesday, aims to recognise the millions of talented and skilled people throughout the UK who are awarded vocational qualifications.

Mr Vyas said: “I have first-hand experience of how passionate the staff at Redbridge College are about vocational qualifications. It means so much for me to have been able to achieve what I have.

“At university I competed directly with A Level students, and went on to achieve better results than many. I’m the first person in my family to work in the medical profession and that can be daunting.”

Vocational courses offer a practical, real-world alternative to A Levels to prepare learners for university or the world of work.

Redbridge College is holding an Open Day on Saturday between 10am-2pm. To find out more visit www.redbridge-college.ac.uk/ or call 020 8548 7110/7129/7431.