Alex Hughes graduated last week with a Higher National Diploma in Engineering. He was determined to go into Higher Education because he knew it was the right step for his future. After leaving college at 18 with a Level 3 qualification Alex did a 4 year apprenticeship in Wales, where he is from. Although there was no job for him at the end of his apprenticeship he decided to take some steps to fund his way through the next stage of his education.
University-level study for the future
He came to live with his sister in Derbyshire and found employment here to support him while he studied at Chesterfield College. Throughout his HND, Alex worked 3 days a week building control panels and getting work experience. He came to college 2 days a week. He funded the course himself because he was so determined that getting the qualification was the right step for him and his future.
We caught up with him at graduation to find out how studying for a university-level qualification had helped him. He said:
“Straight away I can see how the qualification has benefited me. I started applying for higher paid jobs and had lots of interest because of the Higher National Diploma. I now have a full time job and they said that my determination to move for work and education impressed them.
Studying shows initiative
I would one hundred percent recommend coming back to studying for any adult who wants to get higher qualifications. Having the initiative and incentive to better yourself is attractive in any employer’s eyes so it gets you a look in at an interview. It gives you a foot in the door and the rest is up to your character and a future of hard work then.
My family are here today to celebrate with me including my 11 week old daughter. It’s good to have the ceremony with them all here but it feels strange as I finished the course a while ago and kind of got over the excitement when the certificate came through the post.
Although I had some tricky times while I was at college. I couldn’t give up but I felt like it at times. I had some amazing support from Anna Taylor at the college who was amazing at helping me get through those times. She made sure I could complete the course. I want to say a massive thanks to her.”
