Stacie Pettman, from River in Kent, has been crowned ‘Student of the Year’ by leading training organisation Pitman Training.  Stacie, who has transformed her career from waitress to legal secretary in just a few months, studied with Pitman Training and has picked up £1000 cash as well as the national accolade.

She beat off competition from other Pitman Training students from across the country and her award was presented to her at a recent ceremony by Channel 4’s Fairy Jobmother, Hayley Taylor.

Stacie started with Pitman Training in 2010 as she wanted a change of career and was keen to move into secretarial work. Over the last 12 months she has achieved a Legal Secretarial Diploma with Distinction and four Microsoft Office Specialist certificates in Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.

Stacie, 21, is now working for Dover-based legal firm Mowll & Mowll – a role she has secured on the strength of her diploma from Pitman Training and thanks to the support of Dover Centre Director Paula Elliott who said: “We’re really thrilled for Stacie. All of our students work hard with their training but she really put in the extra effort and it’s paid off, in more ways than one.

“We support all of our students in their search for a job or new career – including advice on their CVs and interview technique.  Because Stacie had achieved such a high standards we were pleased to recommend her to our own firm of solicitors – Mowll & Mowll – and we’re delighted that she secured her first legal secretarial role with them.”

Stacie has proven herself to her employers and now works for two of the partners in probate and commercial conveyancing – a role she chose from three job offers she received in just one week after she achieved her diploma from Pitman Training.

Stacie commented: “I was really pleased to have successfully completed my training and then to have secured my job with such a great company, so to have been presented with this award really is the icing on the cake.

“I’d recommend Pitman Training to anyone wanting a change of career – the support that they’ve provided really has been incredible and I’m so grateful to Paula and her team for guiding me every step of the way into my dream career.” .

Channel 4’s Fairy Jobmother Hayley Taylor presented Stacie with her award, commenting: “Stacie really is a deserving winner and she has proven that with hard work and the right support and advice you really can turn your life around and achieve your dream job – even in these difficult economic times.

“So many people that come to me for advice in their careers are proud to say that they have achieved diplomas through Pitman Training and I’ve seen the edge that it can give to their CVs – something that Stacie Pettman can proudly confirm and I wish her every success for the future.”