EDUCATION
GOAL FOCUSED
Colleges ’ higher education routes pay off for students graduating in Redcar and Stockton
Standing shoulder-to-shoulder with his fellow graduates from Redcar and Cleveland College was a proud moment for Lenny Reed .
The celebration at Kirkleatham Walled Garden marked the culmination of four years ’ hard work that has seen him progress in his career .
At 20 , Lenny is now a maintenance electrician at PD Ports , a job and company that he loves .
Starting out as an apprentice with the port group at 16 , he knows how lucky he has been . “ It ’ s brilliant to work for a company that supports your progression ,” he said . “ After all , my boss started as an apprentice , as did my boss ’ s boss and also his boss before him .”
It is certainly a route that has suited Lenny , who spent the first year of his apprenticeship building the foundations of his trade at NETA Training , before moving on to the level 3 extended diploma and eventually the HNC in electrical engineering at Redcar and Cleveland College .
It has been four years ’ hard work for the former Laurence Jackson School pupil , but while admitting it has been challenging at times , he has enjoyed developing his practical skills alongside the theoretical knowledge .
“ It turns out I ’ m a little bit of a nerd , as I quite enjoyed the studying ,” he said with a laugh .
Plus , the extensive knowledge , experience , and sense of humour of his tutors made all the
Ceremony – Lenny Reed was one of 60 learners who recently attended Redcar and Cleveland College ’ s graduation at Kirkleatham Walled Garden . difference .
Taking a year out from his studies before deciding whether to ultimately move on to the HND , Lenny , who was named Redcar and Cleveland College ’ s higher education student of the year in the summer , said : “ After all this time it feels strange passing the college and not turning left into the gates .”
But for him , it is a place , along with NETA , both part of the Education Training Collective ( Etc .), that has delivered far more than he could have expected when he walked through the doors at 16 .
“ It has meant four years of study , alongside working , but it has been worth it ,” he said .
“ It was a nice feeling to be graduating after all the years of hard work and effort you have put in to get to your end goal .”
Lenny was one of 60 learners who recently attended Redcar and Cleveland College ’ s graduation ceremony to pick up higher education certificates , HNCs , HNDs , foundation and full honours degrees .
They were closely followed , just days later , by 90 learners from Stockton Riverside College , also part of the Etc ., graduating at the Stockton Globe , after completing higher education certificates , foundation and full honours degrees . Both colleges are part of the Teesside University Partnership .
The Education Training Collective ’ s head of higher education , Karl Johnson , said : “ Our graduations are always spectacular and often
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