Celebrating Success 2026: Apprentice of the Year – Billy Zanco
Carpentry and Joinery Level 2 Diploma
I got so much out of college one day a week and made lots of friends. I would encourage anyone to do this and get involved.
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Student Success
Everyone who completes a course of study has a unique story to tell and South Essex Colleges Group wants to hear yours. Did you achieve your qualification under difficult circumstances? Have you gone on to a career that uses your qualification or did you follow a different pathway? What are you doing now?
Carpentry and Joinery Level 2 Diploma
I got so much out of college one day a week and made lots of friends. I would encourage anyone to do this and get involved.
Travel & Tourism
At SECG I met new people and I really enjoyed the fun of taking part in real‑life roleplays that we got to do in the cabin crew part of the course. My tutor supported us throughout the entirety of the course, which allowed us to feel confident in knowing who to go to if we needed help with our assignments.
Level 3 Sports Coaching Diploma
I’ve loved sports coaching, the staff made it really enjoyable. It’s set me up for my career in sport as a coach. Football is my main sport. I’m heading to Level 4 next, and maybe a degree, or I might go straight into football coaching.
Science
I am grateful to win the award. There were a lot of people who did well this year, and I’m happy to be the one recognised. My favourite thing was the teachers, they are always so helpful and go out of their way. There’s a great mix of practical and theory, and the way they plan the teaching is amazing.
Entry to the Uniformed Public Services Level 3 Diploma
I’m studying Level 3 and I’m so pleased I chose this over A levels. The tutors are great and I really enjoyed the course. The trip to Thriftwood was absolutely amazing. Winning this award feels great, I’m so excited. I want to join the Army in December, in the Royal Engineers.
I am very inspired by winning the award, and am grateful for the college for the achievement. I chose to study T levels, as its academic and work placement based, as when I get to uni a large proportion is communication is a massive barrier, Booksmart is important but so is communication. I am a hands on learner, so having both the academic and work experience was ideal for me.
English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
I’m 18 and from Sudan. I’m an ESOL student and I enjoy the lessons as well as college life. I didn’t speak much English when I joined. I’m going to carry on studying English, and I’ve made lots of friends.
I am really excited to win the award. The course is absolutely amazing, and the sense of community is wonderful. I now work at a nursery, and the course has 100% prepared me with all the skills I need for working in the sector.