A BILLINGHAM student is celebrating job success after college-life delivered far more than he could have hoped for.

Callum Rattray is now helping other students hone their skills in SRC Bede Sixth Form’s Music Technology department having been offered a position at the College as a technician.

The 18-year-old who plans to go to university next year said: “The job was too good an opportunity to turn down.”

Hoping to go on to work in the music industry, he said: “To gain real experience at this stage is an amazing opportunity.”

When the former North Shore Academy pupil signed up to study BTEC Music Technology alongside A levels at SRC Bede Sixth Form, he admits that he didn’t know what to expect.

“I always knew I wanted to do something in music but I hadn’t really considered the practicalities of that,” he said.

The course introduced him to life behind the scenes in the industry and the many roles and opportunities that exist both on and off stage.

Callum, who achieved a Distinction Star in Music Technology earlier this year, will now work alongside SRC Bede’s Music Technology lecturer, Patrick Jordan, former lead guitarist of Young Rebel Set and the producer behind Teesside band Cattle & Cane’s debut album, Home.

“This will open up so many opportunities to me,” said Callum, who has already experienced working with live bands. “To be able to say I’ve had a year’s experience at such an early stage in my career will really give me an edge.”