NSCG Student Beats University Graduates to Competitive Summer Internship
08 June 2026
Henry Ashmore, Level 3 Extended Diploma in Graphic and Creative Design student, from Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group (NSCG) Stafford College, has secured a competitive 4-week summer internship with VCCP despite going up against university graduates.
Earlier in the year Sixth-form students from Stoke-on-Trent, Stafford and Nottingham made the trip to London to pitch their final campaign ideas to the Music Venue Trust and a panel of creative industry leaders as a part of the Biggest Pitch of Year Grand Finals. As a valuable part of the winning team, Henry was inspired to work with VCCP again and put in his application.
The sought after industry experience had spaces for only 8 individuals, and against over 100 other applicants, he was invited in for a day where he met the other candidates and was asked to work in teams to create a campaign and pitch before being interviewed one-to-one. Henry ultimately succeeded and will now spend August completing a live brief with VCCP as part of the Challenger Academy in Stoke-on-Trent.
Culminating in an all-expenses paid trip to the VCCP HQ in London, the 4-week paid internship will break up the process of working for an advertising agency and completing creative briefs, from brainstorming and research up to how to pitch ideas to the wider team.
Curriculum Leader for Level 3 Graphic Design, David Holcroft said, “Henry harbours a serious amount of talent, particularly when it comes to drawing and illustration. He has used these talents independently outside of college to produce artwork for greeting cards that have been sold to raise money for charity. Henry always works hard and clearly values his time with us on the BTEC Extended Diploma Graphic Design course, taking every opportunity to develop his skills and increase his knowledge of a range of creative disciplines. We're hugely proud of Henry and delighted he's managed to secure a place on the 'Best Summer Job Ever' with VCCP and the Challenger Academy. The experiences he gains over the Summer will definitely help him to become more confident, improve his skills and enable him to build a valuable network that will help him into employment later on down the line.”
The strength of his application in gaining success over university graduates emphasises his ambition, drive and creative talent. This is a fantastic opportunity to develop professional skills and behaviours, particularly at the start of his career as he progresses onto HNC Digital Content Creation course based at the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Institute of Technology with NSCG in September.