Gabriella Biazotti - YMCA Apprentice of the Year

Gabriella Biazotti, a 27-year-old, Business Administration Apprentice from Hove, has won the YMCA Apprentice of the Year Award. Gabriella has been recognised for her outstanding achievement at Snow-Camp – a charity which uses snow sports to turn around young inner-city lives. She’s also landed a job!

Such was Gabriella’s adaptability, enthusiasm and commitment to learning, she finished her one-year apprenticeship five weeks early! Snow-Camp was so impressed, they offered the former hospitality worker a paid, full-time role as their Community Coordinator.

In need of a new direction, Gabriella was keen to move out of hospitality and into business administration, but she lacked the experience to make the transition. Fortunately, the YMCA’s Business Administration Level 2 City and Guilds Apprenticeship, which she completed at Snow-Camp, bridged her skills gap. Gabriella reflects on her journey:

“I was looking for an office role, but hadn’t heard back from any of my applications. I saw the Snow-Camp apprenticeship on a job website and thought it sounded really interesting. This apprenticeship has created opportunities for me to learn key skills, grow and it’s given me more confidence in myself. There’s always a lot to do and that can be quite challenging, but we always get there by working as a team. I love my team and the diversity of my responsibilities. I’m passionate about Snow-Camp!”

Hard work pays off!

“My apprenticeship has allowed me to earn a good salary and gain experience that I know will put me in good stead for the future. I have a whole new future that I couldn't have imagined before. If I hadn’t done this apprenticeship, I’d probably be working in a bar. I’ve learnt that if you put in hard work and effort, it will pay off in the end. If you’re dedicated and hardworking, your employer will not want to let you go at the end of the apprenticeship.”

Gabriella’s role entails reception duties, ordering materials and kit, programme support, organising trips and accreditation, creating invoices, booking travel, updating spreadsheets, managing social media and supporting fundraisers. Having landed a permanent job, she’s also looking into buying her first home.

Lara Kinnear, Snow-Camp’s Operations Director, is delighted with Gabriella’s progress:

“Gabby has been on a fantastic journey in her Business Admin Apprentice role over the last 12 months. She is a fast learner and has continued to increase her knowledge and understanding, which has made her more confident in all areas of business admin. Gabby has full-on energy and enthusiasm for the charity, which has resulted in her being the first person anyone talks to when they ring our Head Office. We are all proud of Gabby’s achievements at Snow-Camp and how she has become a key member of the team.”

And you

Inspired by Gabriella’s story? Could you benefit from an apprenticeship? We have apprenticeship opportunities all over the UK, from jobs in childcare to business admin. What’s stopping you?