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My name is Danny Burns, and I studied with the South Essex College Group. This is my story.

I studied the Warehouse and Storage Skills Bootcamp at Thurrock College, a free, hands-on, employer-led programme designed to give learners the skills employers in the logistics sector are looking for.

I really enjoyed my time on the course. I made new friends and gained the skills and certifications I needed to move into the industry, including an RTITB Forklift Licence and my CSCS card.

Before starting the Warehouse and Storage Skills Bootcamp, I had some difficulty finding a job. However, after successfully completing the programme, Darren and the Logistics team were incredibly supportive and helped me secure an apprenticeship.

I am now an apprentice at Rayleigh Cold Store on their Warehouse to Wheels apprenticeship scheme. This will allow me to gain further industry experience in warehousing before studying for my LGV licence in my second year.

The Skills Bootcamp has given me the opportunity to secure an apprenticeship and take the first steps towards becoming an LGV driver, something I have always wanted to do.

Former South Essex Colleges Group (SECG) student, Tommy Davis, now a successful freelance director, is hoping to raise enough money to make a new TV series entitled Cash in Hand, based on the working class struggle in Essex, before pitching to major broadcast networks later this year. 

Tommy, from Rayleigh studied the Level 3 Extended Diploma in TV and Film Production and achieved the Extended Diploma in 2015. He chose to study at SECG because he wanted to develop his passion for filmmaking and learn the craft in a professional environment with like-minded creative people.

He said: “Before coming to SECG I’d always had an obsession with cameras and making films, from shooting home videos as a kid to creating skateboarding films with my mates throughout my teens.

“SECG gave me the confidence and the skills to become a more intricate filmmaker, with detailed study of all three stages of production;  planning, shooting, and editing. My time there built my confidence and gave me the ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with others.

“The equipment at SECG was fantastic; from a full blackout TV broadcast studio for multicamera with live vision mixing, to using the studio as a professional film space with overhead lighting rigs.” 

After completing his course Tommy went onto study at London South Bank University, and now works as a freelance film director specialising in music videos and branded content, working with artists, musicians, brands, and record labels around the world.

His job entails directing, producing, and overseeing all aspects of film production; from concept and shot listing to shooting and editing. 

He said: “I progressed to my current position by building up my portfolio step-by-step, starting with small videos, then working with bigger artists and brands and continually developing my craft.”

Tommy said that his favourite memory of being at SECG was: “Knocking about with mates and sneaking into the big red auditorium on lunch breaks to watch music videos and Jackass”

He said that his greatest achievement has been: “Travelling the world directing, working with incredible artists such as Stormzy, high profile brands and being nominated for awards including the UK MVAs, the NME Awards, and the Young Arrows for Best New Director. 

“My ambition is to get my television pilot Cash in Hand commissioned into a full series”. 

A teaser video posted to social media has already gained more than 100,000 views and Tommy has launched a fundraiser to get it off the ground. The show will be set around “cash jobs, dodgy site managers, and everyday hustle, capturing the loyalty, banter, and chaos that defines life for many”.

You can support the project by donating here: https://igg.me/at/CASHINHAND/x/18239410#

Take a loook at our updated Film and Television Production course Creative Media Production (Television and Film Production) Level 3 Extended Diploma

Artist, Ferne Worsley is 52 and is from Westcliff. She is a proud mother of one.

She studied an Access to Art & Design course at South Essex Colleges Group and then progressed to BA (Hons) in Fine Art at University Centre South Essex and this is her story.

I went to art college when I was 18, but the course wasn't really right for me so I didn't end up graduating from it properly. Then I decided I wanted to work, so I went out and got various jobs, I went to evening classes because I still loved doing art, so I did painting and drawing.

I was working in a creative job as a picture editor, so I worked on magazines, researching photos etc. I was always sad that I didn't carry on with art,  but I  started doing life drawing classes and got talking to one of the other participants who had just done an Access course at South Essex Colleges Group and suggested that I do it. I applied and I realised that I could get a grant for it and that I would not have to repay it if I went on to do a degree. I absolutely loved Access and part of the course taught you how to apply for a degree course.

After I talked to my husband, I applied to do a degree in Fine Art, my three years of study with tutors Matt, Andy and Maria were the best time in my life.

It was the staff being so helpful that made a difference. Juggling studying with being a mum was quite difficult because the course is quite demanding. There's a lot of written work but  I really loved it and the staff were accommodating with deadlines and stuff like that.

Although the financial side was quite difficult,  I did manage to get a maintenance award which really helped. There is a lot of support available if you're on a low income.

The best thing about doing the degree was realising that I could have a new career at 46. I thought: ‘I can really do this’, and that comprehension was life changing.

Whist on my degree, I was volunteering at various places because I was thinking of the future and did a post degree course (the equivalent to an Masters) with TOMA.

 Following the MA, I opened up a the Blokhouse Studios with some other graduates to provide graduates and artists with a studio space. A local philanthropist gave us a little pot of funding to have that initial deposit to start up in a new premises and that is how the Blokhouse started.

Our aim is to provide recent graduates like ourselves with a stepping stone after leaving university. A lot of graduates don't know what to do next and need options and studio space. Our heart was with University Centre South Essex as that’s where we were from and we were quite passionate in wanting others like us to have the same opportunity.

The studios welcome visits by the public and we have workshops for collectives such as Metal, Brentwood Change Makers and the Focal Point Gallery. We are opening out to other artists like early career artists who would like to do workshops in here, including studio artists.

Currently there are seven graduates from UCSE and 12 artists in total. Our aspiration is to give graduates an opportunity to find a career in the arts, locally and beyond. We want to be a springboard for them so we can connect them to the artist network. We prioritize those on low income or those facing barriers such as a mental health barrier, a physical health barrier or a financial barrier. We are applying for funding so that we can make the studio spaces and facilities as affordable as we can. The project costs quite a lot of money, so to raise money, we have events including art auctions, where we ask artists to donate work and raffles. I would like this place to be a success and each time I walk in to the Blokhouse I get a really nice feeling that I've done something good, it's rewarding.

For those thinking of going back to education I would say  just do it. Go and chat to the course leaders at the UCSE, you really can make it work with your schedule.