THE most outstanding students on vocational courses at York College have been recognised at an awards ceremony.

The college hosted the Vocational Qualifications Student Of The Year Award ceremony to celebrate students’ hard work and the contribution they have made to vocational courses.

Students attended an evening ceremony presented by Kersten England, the chief executive of City of York Council and John Short, chairman of governors at the college.

The winning students were awarded student of the year certificates and vouchers at the ceremony to mark national Vocational Qualification Day.

Dr Alison Birkinshaw, the college principal, said: “It is important to celebrate the success of our vocational students at this time of year. This event allows us to give our students the recognition they deserve. “York College offers over 80 full-time vocational courses at four different levels and these qualifications can change lives and take people on to the next stage in their careers. “The college is fourth in the country for Level 3 results and has a large number of highly-skilled staff and students working in a wide variety of vocational areas.

“We have around 400 vocational learners progressing to university each year and even more into employment. I am delighted that we can celebrate vocational success and achievement in this way.”

VQ Day is a national celebration of vocational qualifications to recognise the millions of people throughout the UK who are awarded VQs. The official VQ day is taking place on June 22.

VQ Students of the Year

Art & Design: David Law – Level 1 & 2, Lianne Noble - National Diploma, graphic design, Ellen Adams – foundation studies.

Business & Professional Studies: Thomas Swanton – Level 3, Hannah Ashton – Level 2, Tasmin Clancy - Business & Administration.

Child Studies: Rachel Gilbertson - Level 2, Ozlem Hazar – CACHE Diploma Level 3, Katie Bird – National Diploma Level 3.

Construction: Philip Gee – Full-time carpentry and joinery, Mustafa Altin – Work-based Learning Level 2 apprentice in plumbing, Michael Knight – Work-based Learning Level 3 apprentice in bricklaying.

Engineering: Calvin Crouch – Work-based learning, Charlotte Greenwood – Full-time, Daniel Moffatt – Best endeavour.

Hair and Beauty: Olivia Alexander – Combined hair and beauty, Kim Bostock – Work-based Learning NVQ hairdressing Level 2, Aimee Mountford – Under-16 young apprentice programme hair and beauty.

Health and Social Care: Chelsea Kelly – Level 1, Chloe Wilcox – Level 2, Charlotte Leadley – Level 3.

Hospitality and Tourism: Caroline Glowacka – Travel & Tourism, Zoltan Balog – Work-based learning in hospitality, Rosanna Eastwood – Hospitality.

IT and Computing: Robert Fraser – Level 1 Diploma in IT, Arran Stubbs – Level 2 Diploma in IT, Paul Bradley – National Diploma IT Practitioners.

Media and Performance: Rebecca Webb – Performing arts, Luke Lount – Music, Natalie Brocklesby – media.

Science: Rebecca Heath – 1st Year National Diploma in applied science, Jean Mulamoottil – 2nd Year National Diploma in applied science.

Sport/Public Services: Sam Orange – sports science, Tanya Hagan – sport, Jonathan Sturdy – public services.