A student from SGS College picked up a top award at the Bristol and Bath Apprenticeship Awards last week.

Maya Challoner picked up the award for Outstanding Apprentice of the Year for Business, Administrative and Financial Services. Maya is currently undertaking a Level 2 in Business Administration Apprenticeship at Chartwell Funding, a property finance specialist.

The awards celebrated apprenticeship learners across the region for were celebrated their hard work and determination.

Maya chose the apprenticeship route as she wanted to learn whilst working in a real work environment. She said: "Until I saw the job advertisement for Chartwell Funding, business administration didn't really interest me and although I did well in school, university didn't interest me at all. I had no business admin experience and mortgage broking really interested me so an apprenticeship looked like the perfect route to go down; this way, I could work in a professional environment while learning.

"Since starting at Chartwell Funding, I believe I have grown as a person. When I first joined, I was quiet, shy and lacked confidence. I would barely even answer my own phone or make any phone calls. I have struggled with anxiety, so I was very nervous starting a new job, but I wanted to develop my confidence. Once I began to get to know the team, I became more confident and I began to learn my role extremely quickly.

"I am now case managing and currently getting the most mortgage offers a month for our clients out of the whole administration team. I am motivated to do the best I can to provide exceptional customer service. I work efficiently to meet any deadlines and always complete any tasks handed to me. I pay great attention to detail ensuring that all my clients are as satisfied as possible.

"After completing my apprenticeship, I hope to continue working at Chartwell Funding and hopefully train to become a mortgage advisor myself. Before working at Chartwell Funding, I could never see myself working in finance, but after training here, my whole outlook has changed and I would love to complete the CeMap qualification and hopefully in the future, possibly become a financial advisor myself."

Christine Barton, Maya's apprenticeship assessor, said: "Maya is a positive and enthusiastic apprentice. She is always engaged, and happy to learn. She has progressed both as a person and in her knowledge over the year and has developed her confidence and customer skills. This award is a great achievement."