STUDENT Cody Gingell has won a top award for her work skills.

The 21-year-old from Stroud received her Work Skills Award at the National Star College.

Now she is on track to start a paid job with a Gloucester-based Quality Assurance Agency.

Cody, who has learning difficulties, last year joined the Skills for Work training programme at the college last year.

She has had various work placements including at the StarBistro, a training bistro open to the public and based at the college in Ullenwood.

Thanks to the college’s EmployAble scheme, college staff have worked with QAA to carve out a job role for Cody do administration work.

Cody won the work award because of her enthusiasm, good nature and hard work.

“She demonstrates excellent approaches to work, Cody is always the first to arrive and the last to down tools,” said Rebecca Hibbert, Head of Support for Learning at National Star.

“Cody does not always recognise her abilities and achievements. She has worked tirelessly on a range of placements.”

Cody, who attended The Shrubbies School in Stonehouse before joining National Star, she said was shocked – and thrilled – to win the award.

“There has been so much variety on the course and I have enjoyed it all,” she said. “I have work skills that I can take anywhere now.”

To find out more about the Skills for Work programme and other internships and training opportunities at National Star, please call Kirsten Kleebauer (corr) 01242 534928 or email admissions@natstar.ac.uk