FROM school troublemaker to nominated student of the year — South Zeal's Andrew Holland has turned himself around since being expelled three years ago.
Nineteen-year-old Andrew has recently completed his NVQ Level Three in Motor Vehicle Mechanics at Plymouth College and is continuing his studies to advanced level.
Andrew, who was nominated by his college for the Devon and Cornwall student of the year, admits it is a far cry from his days at school: 'Most of my mates I grew up with had left school and I just did not want to be there,' he said.
'I was a bit of a handful and because I had a short temper things always escalated in a fight with other students,' he said.
Andrew spent so much time away from school and refused to take his GCSEs that eventually he was expelled.
The teenager earned some money labouring before approaching Thompson Transport in Moretonhampstead where his father works.
'I always wanted to be a mechanic and I was told I could go on an apprenticeship if I got my exams,' he said.
Andrew started going to college and has found after all these years that education agrees with him.
'I am really enjoying what I do and my hope is that one day I will work for a main dealer.'
The attitude problem he says he used to have has disappeared and his life has turned around.
'Had I not got a job I would probably have carried on getting into trouble,' he added.
'I would not recommend getting expelled from school to anyone.'
Andrew's mum Susan said she was very proud of her son who was like 'a new person'.
'I was at the end of my tether a few years ago — it was a real struggle but we have all come through and Andrew has really grown up,' she said.