LONG distance pharmacy student Ben Smith who logged on to Bradford College lessons hundreds miles away in Kent, has just been named top trainee in the country.

Over the past two years the star student has combined his internet lessons with working as a trainee pharmacy technician at the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford, Kent.

The 22-year-old has been logging on one day a week for real-time lessons with lecturers up north in Bradford College and only met his tutors for the first time in person when he travelled to the College to show off his award.

“The distance learning has worked brilliantly for me and the course has genuinely changed my life,” said Ben, who completed his course with the a distinction star which is the highest possible grade.

He picked up the Pre-registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician of the Year Award at an annual conference and celebration event organised by the Association of Pharmacy Technicians United Kingdom – APTUK before making the special trip into college to show them his trophy and certificate.

Now Ben has secured full-time employment with the East Kent Hospitals Trust along with three other students from the Trust who were studying with him in the virtual classroom.

“I didn’t really know what to expect with distance learning but I enjoyed every minute of it. You feel you are in a one-to-one with your teacher you can listen to the lesson with no distractions. I would happily recommend it to anyone.”

As well as the APTUK award, Ben also won Bradford College’s own Student of the Year Award for his course. His prize from the college was a Samsung Tablet.

He accepted the award from his pharmacy lecturers Sarah Habeeb and Niaz Akbar, who described the decision to select him for the honour as a “no-brainer”.

“Ben has been a dedicated, motivated and enthusiastic student who has achieved distinctions throughout. The effort he has put in during his course has been exceptional,” said Mrs Habeeb.

Ben said: “I was thrilled to win both the awards. When I reflect on what I achieved in the last two years I am very proud of myself and grateful to Bradford College for all the support.”

Although born and raised in Kent, Ben did have a link to Bradford College before enrolling on his course. His grandfather studied engineering at the institution half a century earlier.