A FORMER South Essex College Media Production student has landed a top job at ITN after a year-long apprenticeship.

Joe Mander, who completed his studies last year, was one of eight applicants out of 850 to be accepted on to ITN’s apprenticeship programme and has been working in the broadcaster’s London studios as well as out and about at the scene of stories.

He has been involved with producing programmes watched by millions of viewers on ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5.

The 19-year-old from Canvey impressed bosses during his apprenticeship, he has now been taken on as a fully operational trainee camera operator, which means he will be out in the field rather than in the studio.

He said: “Working for ITV News London is fantastic. There's so much variety to the job and I love that, meeting new people every day and going to new places.

“I never know what I'm going to be doing on a day to day basis until I get into work. I've been based with ITV News London since the end of February, for the final phase of my apprenticeship scheme at ITN.

Mr Mander, who has been given a one-year contract, added: “During this time I have covered everything from the London mayoral elections to filming at Wembley for the FA Cup final and even getting a look behind the scenes at where a lot of the Game of Thrones magic is made in Dartford.

“It's not all glamorous though as I've have had to wait outside of courts for hours and film various outside things in the rain.

“My course at the College definitely helped me get to where I am today, the teaching in particular stood out because the lecturers had real industry experience which was invaluable as was the up-to-date equipment which I now know is representative of what you find in the real world.”

For information on courses available at the College, visit www.southessex.ac.uk