Keaton Kennedy enrolled in a new two-year T-Level digital production course at Barking and Dagenham College which has led to his Cardiff University place.
The 19-year-old is now a degree apprentice at Amazon and recalls how things might have turned out differently.
“I was close to giving up on education completely after quitting sixth form,” he says. “But those around me convinced me I should give it one last go while I have the chance.”
The T-Level course lets him have a part-time job on the side and real-world experience and practical skills.
Keaton took part in the annual Digital Skills project involving 1,000 students from colleges around the country competing to work out a technology solution.
The finalists gave presentations at Amazon offices in Shoreditch where their ideas went in front of a judging panel.
“I got my grades and been accepted at Cardiff to study software engineering,” Keaton explained.
“Then I got a call from Amazon to say they have a degree apprenticeship position open which I accepted.”
The Digital Skills project aims to create a pipeline of trained young individuals who have the skills that organisations are looking for.
Keaton was one of the first students to join.
