Returning to education for an aspiring engineer has been the passport to employment.

Gareth Read, 37, from Rochford returned to education in 2012 to study a Level 3 Diploma in Engineering at South Essex College’s Thurrock Campus.

Four years later he is travelling the world working as a print finishing engineer.

His move back into education came after working as a print finishing operator in a factory for ten years and wanting to get into a more challenging and rewarding career. He decided to go back to college and gain another qualification.

After completing his Level 3 Diploma he then progressed on to the HNC in General Engineering and during the two years also took on both the Level 2 and 3 City and Guilds in Electrical Installation courses.

The first year of his Level 3 course, Gareth was still working as a machine operator, taking his day releases as unpaid leave. But, his hard work and dedication paid off after he landed an engineering role.

Gareth did not even have a passport 16 months ago, but has now been to several countries including Japan and the Czech Republic, as part of his job.

He said he would recommend a return to education to anyone who wants to further their career.

He said: “My career potential has opened up massively since studying at

the college. I never would have thought when I was 16 leaving school that I would be here now, as a distinction level student. I was 32 when I enrolled to go back to college and I’m aspiring to my Batchelor’s Degree and I will probably be 45 by then, it is never too late.”

To find out more about the courses available visit southessex.ac.uk