Jess Smith, aged 18, from Barlaston, an apprentice with Stone’s Smart Marketing Works, won the ‘Trainee of the Year’ award at the 2015 Tile Association Awards that were held in Birmingham on Saturday 18th April.
Jess – a former student at Alleyne’s Academy in the town – started her apprenticeship with tiling industry marketing experts Smart Marketing Works in July last year. As well as working towards her Level 3 NVQ in marketing, she has made a big impact on some important projects in that short time – and will soon be moving on to her CIM professional certificate in marketing.
Kay Porter – director and owner of the rapidly expanding company – said: “We’re so proud to be nurturing Jess at the start of her career and I’m absolutely delighted to see her achievements honoured by the Tile Association. The company specialises in marketing for the tiling industry and it is great that her enthusiasm has been recognised by the national trade association.
“Jess has made an outstanding contribution to the company in a short space of time. She’s a natural communicator and marketer, with a passion for digital communications that has really helped to drive our expertise in this area.”
Jess first did some work for Smart Marketing Works in 2013, while a sixth-form student at Stone’s Alleyne’s Academy, after approaching the company to secure a work placement. She continued to work with Smart Marketing Works during her school holidays whenever possible and, after finishing her A-levels, was offered the chance to pursue her chosen career by gaining relevant work-based experience rather than go to university.
“I’m delighted to have been voted trainee of the year,” Jess said. “I’m thoroughly enjoying my career so far and hope that it’ll carry on long into the future. Thanks also go out to Kay for giving me this wonderful opportunity – I owe it all to her.”
Jess’s progress on her apprenticeship has been monitored by Sheena Baird, sales and marketing NVQ assessor at Total People. Sheena said: “From day one, Jess has impressed me with her professionalism and motivation to be the very best she can be. Jess is hard-working and a very professional young lady who always goes the extra mile in anything she does.”
Rachel Eldershaw, head of sixth form at Alleyne’s Academy, added: “Jess sets her expectations high and showed considerable determination and dedication to maintain and improve on previous attainment while in the sixth form. Jess always showed enthusiasm for her work and was genuinely interested and excited by learning, expanding her knowledge and experiences at every opportunity. We’re thrilled to see that Jess has won an award so early in her career.”
