A SECOND year college student has been recognised at a global BTEC awards.

Andrew Urban, who began his course at Eastleigh College in 2019, aged 21, received a bronze award for BTEC Business and Enterprise Learner of the Year 2021 at the annual BTEC Awards.

The college learner was among more than 700 BTEC learners, tutors, teachers, schools and colleges from over 30 countries to be recognised in the competition.

With an 100 per cent attendance record, Andrew worked on the 9-unit qualification meeting the distinction criteria each time and was the mastermind behind the college’s online Fairtrade Fortnight event, creating a website and remotely interacting with a large audience over a two-week period.

Andrew created educational packages for all ages to interactive live sessions, evening quizzes to 70 participants and a bake off, as part of the event.

He also reached a larger audience by creating a press release which successfully advertised the event in the newspaper and twice on local radio.

Whilst doing this, he also continued in part-time employment throughout the pandemic.

Paul Cox, Chief Executive and Principal at Eastleigh College said: “Andrew displayed a vast number of IT and media skills in his coursework which were strengths he did not realise he had.

“Following his nomination for this award by college tutors, Andrew has become a valued member of the Marketing Team and we are pleased he has chosen to begin his career at Eastleigh College.”

Andrew, who watched the celebration of BTEC winners with his new team mates on a livestream, said he started his course with “little confidence and self-belief”.

He added: “For me, the turning point was when I was nominated Project Leader of Fairtrade Fortnight.”