A YOUNG woman from Pontllanfraith is vying for the title of Jobs Growth Wales Outstanding Achiever of the Year.

Helen Brickley, 24, has been shortlisted for the award at the Apprenticeship Awards Cymru 2014 and will join 35 other finalists in 13 categories at the awards ceremony at the Celtic Manor Resort, Newport, on Friday, October 31.

The awards are organised jointly by the Welsh Government and the National Training Federation for Wales.

The awards recognise employers who commit to developing their workforce through apprenticeships and other work-based learning programmes that support employees during their training.

It is funded by the Welsh Government with support from the European Social Fund.

Ms Brickley, of The Bryn in Pontllanfraith, turned to Jobs Growth Wales after finding it difficult to get her foot on the careers ladder despite her degree in textiles.

Welsh fashion shop chain Goose Island took her on in October 2013 as a fashion administrator with responsibilities for tracking online sales and updating the website.

A year on, she is a full-time employee working towards an NVQ in Business Administration Level Three and completes a daily 80-mile round trip to work from her home to Swansea.

She has since taken the company’s online sales from an average £150 a month to £7,000 and is now part of buying trips to London and Italy for the online and stores’ fashion lines.

Ms Brickley said: “The Jobs Growth Wales opportunity has given me the chance to broaden my skills from administration and invoicing to expressing my passion for fashion, meeting with buyers and applying my design knowledge to the job.”

Julie James, deputy minister for skills and technology, said: “Vocational training provides learners with the skills, qualifications and experience they need while helping our businesses to grow. These awards are a chance for us to recognise the wealth of talent we have in Wales.

“I’d like to wish Helen all the very best of luck at the Apprenticeship Awards.”