Graphic Design students at the College were asked to design a new poster promoting ‘Skilled Up’, an initiative developed by Rushmoor Borough Council in partnership with Jobcentre Plus. ‘Skilled Up’ offers unemployed people the chance to learn practical on-the-job skills to help them towards full-time employment.

A2 student Chris Lewis, who studies graphic design, media and mathematics, put his brilliant design skills to good use to come up with the winning poster to help the council promote this important skills programme.

Councillor Ken Muschamp, Rushmoor Borough Council’s Cabinet member for Business, Safety and Regulation, explained, “We needed to redesign the ‘Skilled Up’ artwork as we felt it no longer represented the programme we were running.  We received several submissions from the students - all of a very high standard - but as a team we unanimously picked Chris’ design.  His use of imagery and bold colour captured the style we wanted for our rebrand.  We have been using the poster for a while now and the feedback has been excellent.”

Chris was presented with a framed copy of his poster and a voucher by Principal Engineer, John Trusler, who manages the construction element of the ‘Skilled Up’ programme.

Saskia Smith, graphic design tutor said, “It's fantastic for our graphics students to have the opportunity to respond to a live brief.  To have a real piece of design in his portfolio, from a competition, at age 17 is an achievement that Chris should be really proud of, as are we.”