Carla Thomas joined The Inspirational Learning Group as part of the Government’s Kickstart scheme and soon found herself presenting on webinars and dealing with hundreds of customers and stakeholders.

The Stafford-based careers and skills provider, which was founded by Staffordshire University alumni, was keen to keep Carla after her Kickstart placement ended so she was offered a full-time role as an apprentice.

Carla completed a level three apprenticeship in accounting with EMA Training and is now studying for level four.

The 26-year-old, from Stafford, acts as the sole point of contact for all financial matters within the company.

Ben Dyer, co-founder of The Inspirational Learning Group, said: “We are incredibly proud of Carla and all that she has accomplished whilst working at TILG. She is a fantastic member of our team, reliable, hardworking and never afraid to challenge a process.

“Carla’s work ethic is exemplary and she is able to confidently apply what she has learnt in her apprenticeship to her finance role with us. It has been a pleasure seeing Carla grow in confidence and skill during her time with us and we look forward to where her apprenticeship will take her.”

Grace Challinor, Business Manager at TILG, said: “Carla really impressed me during her Kickstart placement with her ability to throw herself into any given task and to confidently take on tasks that pushed her out of her comfort zone.

“One particular stand out moment during the placement involved Carla presenting our Kickstart offering to young people in Stoke on Trent during an online event. Her presentation skills were excellent and she demonstrated her ability to relate to her audience.

“Her support to the Kickstart team was in addition to Carla supporting me with daily financial tasks – which again she completed to an extremely high standard and even offered solutions or alternative ways of working which were implemented”.

Carla has been nominated in the Apprentice of the Year category of the Staffordshire University Business Awards.