A MATURE student's commitment to going back to school has earned him a national accolade.
David Brennan, 40, has won the Institute of Management's Student of the Year award.
The project engineer, from South Shields, has spent the past three years studying at South Tyneside College management centre in Hebburn.
"This was a total surprise," he said. "The mix of students was extremely good, with many coming from senior management positions, so I really didn't expect to win.
"When you have put in so much hard work, it does feel great to be recognised in this way."
He went back to college with the support of his employer, Michell Bearings.
Celia Ruddick, his course leader, said: "Dave is an excellent case study for what can be achieved with structured management training and his employers were wise enough to realise the value of this."
Mr Brennan won the award for his work towards his level four NVQ in Management and the IoM Diploma.
He is to study a postgraduate diploma in management studies at Northumbria University in Newcastle.
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