Hoylake legal trainee Hayleigh John has won this year’s ‘Apprentice of the Year’ title at the Liverpool Chamber awards.
Hayleigh, 20, from Claughton Village, was crowned at the awards ceremony this month and was delighted with her achievement. She told JMU Journalism: “When they announced that I had won I just didn’t expect it. I was really shocked because the Chamber had taken on over 400 apprentices and I was nominated with two other people.”
Hayleigh began her apprenticeship at Peter Edwards Law in Hoylake in 2011 and is grateful for the opportunity that she was given by the law firm. After starting out as a receptionist, Hayleigh was quickly promoted to administration assistant before being promoted again to Mental Health Tribunal Department Coordinator.
She said: “The apprenticeship has taught me a lot. I started on reception and in less than three years I have had two promotions and I am currently training to do my management level 3.”
Hayleigh was also quick to thank her work colleagues at the firm. She said: “Everyone at Peter Edwards law has been very friendly. The practice manager Carolyn Lindsay has been great and has given me lots of support, and also my assessor from the chambers, Debbie Hancox, has been great.”
After attending Liverpool Community College studying travel and tourism, Hayleigh soon found out that it wasn’t what she wanted to do. She applied for the apprenticeship scheme and hopes it can now prove to be a gateway to a successful career for her.
Company Director Peter Edwards said: “From the day Hayleigh joined Peter Edwards Law she has shown outstanding dedication and willingness to learn. She deserves this recognition and I’m sure she will continue to have a successful career.”
The Chamber’s awards signalled the start of National Apprenticeship Week and new research shows that 49% of firms in Liverpool plan to take on apprentices in the next five years.