Mark Spencer from Calderdale College has been named Yorkshire VQ Hero – Young Learner of the Year 2009.

The VQ Hero Awards are part of VQ Day today, a national celebration of vocational achievement.

Mark, 18, said: "I didn't appreciate how important education was when I was younger and my mum was diagnosed with a tumour at the beginning of my GCSE course.

"The college has given me a second chance in life and completely changed my perspective on things and changed me as a person.

"I'm pretty much guaranteed a place at Cardiff University and I have the college and my tutor Karen to thank for that. If Calderdale College hadn't let me in I don't know where I'd be now."

Mark's tutor Karen Porter, course leader for BTEC National Diploma in business, said: "Mark wasn't accepted anywhere else because he didn't meet the standard entry criteria but he was so convincing in his interview that we took him.

"He's achieved over and above what was required and been a distinction level student from his second term in spite of his mother's illness and extra commitments at home. He's just been the best student you could hope for."

Mark, of Mixenden, Halifax, will represent the region at the national VQ Day ceremony in London where the national VQ Hero for England will be presented with their award by celebrity chef James Martin.

Mark started his BTEC National Dip-loma in business last year despite not having GCSE grade Cs in English or maths.

He completed extra qualifications in communications and numeracy on top of his business course and has been accepted to study international business at Cardiff University.

John Kerr, operations director at independent education foundation Edge and a member of the judging panel, said: "Mark is a fantastic example of the progression and opportunities that vocational qualifications can offer, living proof that there are many paths to success and an inspiration to us all."