Degree offer

A STUDENT from Richard Huish College will be avoiding student debt after receiving an offer to have his degree sponsored.

Joseph Hughes will be supported by tyre manufacturer company Continental during his studies at the University of Chichester.

He will be joining a brand new facility in Burgess Hill from September, studying one day a week at university and working at the company four days a week and during his reading weeks. He can achieve a Level 6 qualification, within four years, gaining experience in his chosen field without acquiring student debt.

To achieve his place, he worked hard and was predicted top grades in his BTEC extended diploma in digital technologies.

He has taken core maths and an extended project qualification, while working part time in Subway.

He was up against nine other students for two sponsored spots.

The top student said: “With the BTEC, you need to be able to demonstrate the skills you have and not give into the stigma because it can get you further, I’ve come out on top.

"If you asked me four months ago I would have had no idea about what I wanted to do.

“I’m excited to see where this job goes as I’m interested in cars and will get to work with them every day.”

Joseph received multiple offers but decided, alongside his parents and Huish staff, this was the best option.