A STUDENT who had ambitions to work in the media from a young age is now quickly progressing up the career ladder thanks to an apprenticeship.

Alex Robey was just a teenager when he developed an interest in the media.

He said: “My interest in media and all things digital all started when I was 13-years-old creating videos for YouTube.”

The former Dove House School pupil joined Basingstoke College of Technology (BCoT) after finishing school, where he was able to progress steadily towards his career goals, explaining: “As well as studying my media qualification, I also had the chance to retake GCSE English, which I passed in one year.”

He began with Level 1 before progressing to Level 2 then Level 3 - the equivalent of an A-Level.

Alex is now working towards a Level 3 apprenticeship in marketing with BCoT.

The 20-year-old, from Chineham, is responsible for the college’s website, social media profiles and other digital communications.

Alex says it was his media lecturer, Scott Hayden, who suggested he study an apprenticeship to get work ready.

“It was as I was coming to the end of my Level 3 media course that my lecturer recommended I go for the apprenticeship role within the college’s marketing team. When you have a lecturer who really believes that you can achieve what feels like is the impossible, it goes a long way.

“I officially started my apprenticeship in September 2017, working in the marketing department as a digital marketing apprentice. It is a fantastic opportunity to work in the college that has supported me so much. My apprenticeship has helped me develop my skillset dramatically.”

Alex is due to finish his apprenticeship this summer and is confident that the skills and experience he has gained will help him kickstart his career.

“I can now go into the working world having gained so many professional skills that I know will help me have a successful future.

“My apprenticeship has given me so much experience and I am so glad I did it at Basingstoke College of Technology.”