There’s more smiling faces at Stockton Riverside College today as students celebrate success.

Colbie Reeder of Thornaby has achieved his Level 1 in Carpentry and Joinery.

“It was friends and my mum that persuaded me to study joinery,” said Colbie who had previously focused on IT and media related subjects.

“I do prefer something more manual,” said the 18-year-old. Plus, he said, his mum offered the extra incentive to do well in the form of driving lessons.

Signing up at Stockton Riverside College and finding that he enjoyed the course saw Colbie excel.

“And I learnt to drive,” he said with a laugh, “so it was win-win!”

Colbie now plans to progress to the Level 2 Diploma in Site Joinery.