Brett Shepherd progressed from a Level 2 Activity Leadership to an HNC Sport & Exercise Science. Brett also works part time at Kingston College as a Sports Activator.
He says: "Kingston College has undoubtedly untangled and provided direction for my professional life and career path. In early 2019, I was an A Level drop out and had no further education qualifications. I was lucky enough to be accepted onto a Level 2 Apprenticeship in Activity Leadership at Kingston College and haven’t looked back since. Within 18 months I had acquired Level 2 qualifications in Activity Leadership, Coaching and Fitness Instructing all while gathering invaluable workplace skills from working within the College.
"I have now progressed onto the Level 4 HNC in Sport and Exercise Science at the College which is equivalent to the first year of university. I have also progressed my role within the College having gone from a Recreation Assistant to a Sports Activator, I now have much more of an impactful role within the College. Having studied A Levels previously, I am so glad I transitioned to BTECs as I felt A Levels involved a lot of reciting of textbooks to gain marks in a test, whereas BTECs have taught me way more content relating to real life and workplace scenarios and I have far more enjoyed learning the content.
"Alongside working and studying at the College I have also been progressing in my sports career as an ice hockey netminder. I have been able to collaborate with the College and the staff continuously throughout my time here to progress this. Currently, I am playing semi-professionally alongside working at the College and have received full support throughout this year for flexibility to enable me to do both simultaneously. I have had academic discussions that have opened my eyes to the lifestyle of the professional athlete and gained knowledge that I have applied to myself. This, alongside access to a gym and sports facilities has enabled me to progress within my sports career to the point where I am now representing England internationally at Under 23 level. Without the right motivational climate and access to information, I would not have been able to progress so well down this path.
"Moving forward, I have the potential to study the subject to a higher level such as degree level, I have also discussed more senior roles within the College which I would be able to progress onto in the future. I would like to play ice hockey at a professional level in the future while maintaining links to Kingston College to continue my education and a career beyond playing ice hockey."
