Celebrating the impact of vocational qualifications: Your voices – Part 2

Vocational Celebration Day is a new national day created by Enginuity and EAL to spotlight the value of vocational learning.

We’re laying the foundations this year for the first official Vocational Celebration Day on 6 August 2026 — a national moment to recognise and uplift vocational learners, colleges, training providers, and employers across the UK.

We’re inviting our community to share what vocational qualifications mean to them. The stories we received were powerful, full of pride, gratitude, and reflections on the transformative impact of vocational learning. They also offered valuable advice and encouragement for those considering a vocational qualification or currently pursuing one.

Here are their voices

“I believe that we should be celebrating vocational learning. From my own experience as a trainee apprentice at age 16, I know the true value of embedding work alongside academic education. I think that we should all celebrate the fact that vocational education can get you to exactly the same place as other types of education, and we should talk more about that.” - Paula McMahon, Regional Supervising Officer at Sir Robert McAlpine

“Vocational learning has truly shaped my path. I started learning how to make my own skin and hair care products, and then started my own business in my kitchen. The business grew into a full-fledged factory in Wolverhampton.

"On top of that, I'm also a guest lecturer at a number of universities in the UK, teaching about formulation and starting up your own business. I've also created the first AI tool for cosmetic formulators. So, for me, vocational celebration is about recognising the power of hands-on skills to change lives, not just for ourselves, but the lives of the people around us, our community, and the people we want to serve.

"So if you are starting off on your journey, don't underestimate the skills that you already have. Learn as much as you can. And remember to stay focused. If I can grow from an idea at my kitchen table to a global innovative and growing business, so can you.” – Neo Chatyoka, Founder of Uhuru Botanicals

“Apprenticeships work really well in the sense that organisations can kind of mould you into what they want. When someone comes in straight from university, they may have picked up bad habits, whereas when you come in through an apprenticeship, you’re fresh from school, so you can maybe learn a bit quicker. You’re just fresh into it, and the company can then work with you and train you up as they want.

"I’m part of the training team as a senior analyst, and one of the jobs in my role is to train new employees as well as current employees. Part of that involves the apprenticeships. Because I came from the position they were in, you sort of take them under your wing a bit and just try to make sure everything’s going fine for them. It worked for me, so I hope it works for them.” – Rhys Phillips, Senior Analyst at PCI Pharma Services

How to get involved with Vocational Celebration Day

The first Vocational Celebration Day will be held on Thursday, 6 August 2026 and aims to honour those whose passion, expertise, and dedication in vocational fields form the backbone of the UK’s economy and society.

Vocational Celebration Day is a call to action for all individuals, employers, educators, and communities. Here is how to get involved:

• Employers can host open days, offer work experience opportunities, and share success stories of their workforce.
• Nominate a vocational hero who deserves to be recognised.
• Schools, colleges and training providers are encouraged to organise workshops and events that showcase vocational pathways and the talents of their students.
• Individuals can participate by sharing their vocational journey on social media using #VocationalCelebrationDay and #CelebrateVocational

To learn more about Vocational Celebration Day, listen to our special launch edition podcast or download our supporters' pack by visiting the landing page below.

Nominate a vocational hero Get involved in Vocational Celebration Day