A COLLEGE has celebrated its biggest ever graduation ceremony with students leaving with higher apprenticeship qualifications for the first time.

More than 300 students graduated from New College Durham from around 40 programmes.

And for the first time, students graduated from higher apprenticeship programmes in IT and management, which are nationally accredited work-based schemes.

New College principal John Widdowson said: “This was an important ceremony for the college as we congratulated our students on successfully gaining their awards, with many graduating from higher apprenticeships for the first time.

“We wish all our students who have graduated every success for the future, and we hope they inspire others to participate in higher education through the example of their success and achievement.”

Graduate Jake Oliver, 21, from Seaham, works as an IT technician for Durham County Council. He said: “Studying and completing the higher apprenticeship for IT, web, software and telecoms professionals has opened up new doors for me in my career. I can’t thank the staff at New Durham College enough who helped me through my apprenticeship.”

The awards were presented by James Ramsbotham, chief executive of the North East Chamber of Commerce.