I chose Newcastle College because it offered exactly what I needed at the time: part-time, flexible study while I worked full-time. The College had the best technology facilities in the region when I joined in 1992, and the IT course was directly aligned with what employers were looking for.

The atmosphere also stood out. It felt like an adult learning environment, with a real community feel. I met people from different backgrounds and industries, many of whom I’m still in touch with today - and some now run their own businesses too.

Definitely the people and the environment.

There was a fantastic buzz around the College, and everyone supported one another. It was a strong, close-knit community, and we all pushed each other to succeed. The teaching was excellent too, especially for anyone starting out in computing in the early 90s. Those two years gave me a solid grounding and the confidence to take the next step in my career.

I visited the College again recently for an industry breakfast and couldn’t believe how much it has evolved. The facilities are now world-class, and the scale of the College group is incredible. It’s great to see how much it’s grown.

I’m the Founder and CEO of Howell Technology Group, a cyber security and managed services company based in South Tyneside.

We work closely with Microsoft - and even won a global Microsoft Partner of the Year award, which is a huge achievement for a North East business. Today, we employ more than 30 staff and turn over £6 million a year, with a strong focus on creating opportunities for local apprentices and young people starting careers in tech.

We support organisations across the UK with IT, cyber security and cloud services, including our own managed security platform, Overwatch.

Newcastle College gave me the foundations I still rely on today - networking, programming, software engineering and the fundamentals of how technology works.

Those technical basics remain relevant in my business every single day.

But the College also helped me understand the business side of technology - things like operations, finance, risk, compliance and how organisations function. That broader knowledge has been invaluable as an entrepreneur and as someone leading a growing company.

It’s absolutely vital.

We work closely with Newcastle College and Microsoft to ensure students gain exposure to the latest technologies, especially in AI and cyber security. The College is ahead of the curve, and these partnerships help make sure students develop skills that match what businesses like mine need.

The North East has huge potential, and collaboration between employers and the College helps create real career opportunities here.

Be curious - and ask questions.

There’s no such thing as a stupid question in tech. The more curious you are, the more you’ll learn. Speak to Newcastle College, speak to local employers, and don’t hesitate to reach out on LinkedIn. I’m always happy to help where I can.

Tech is changing fast, especially with the rise of AI, so get involved, stay interested and take every opportunity. If you bring the right attitude and the desire to learn, you’ll go far.

Respectful. Professional. A Launchpad.