Dream trip for employee

Simon Allison, an IT Development Team Leader at  Havant & South Downs College has been part of a programme called '˜Windows Insider' for more than four years.

He said: '˜Windows Insider looks at the future of Windows. I like to see what is coming next so that I can plan ahead for what we can do as a college to support new Windows platforms.

'˜The way that technology is going ahead is rapid and changing every day. That is why we need to keep up with what Microsoft is doing. Through the programme you can enter a contest to come to the Microsoft campus in Washington. I filled in an application form and submitted a video and that was it until I heard back in September.'

Simon was in disbelief at the news.

He added: '˜I thought it was a dream and I went to bed. I woke up in the morning and checked again and I couldn't believe it.

Simon had a tour of the campus and witnessed how they make devices and test them.

He said: '˜It was incredible to see how their future is looking for the modern workplace and the future of the home.

'˜A lot of what I experienced is really useful to my role at HSDC.'