AN ACADEMY has been awarded for its efforts to support young people into careers.

The Wellington Academy has been recognised for its work supporting careers education and helping young people into the world of work.

The organisation has been named winner of the Year in the South and South West and National Runner up winner by the Careers & Enterprise Company.

Maria Hamblin was one of three regional winners in the Careers Advisor of the Year category at the annual conference on Wednesday July 4.

Maria said: “It is wonderful to be recognised for all the hard work. I love my work and I am passionate about the positive impact good quality careers guidance and work place opportunities can have on young people by raising aspirations and empowering them to succeed.”

The Wellington Academy nominated Maria Hamblin who joined the institute in 2009 when it opened.

A spokesperson from the Wellington Academy said: "Maria has done so much for the local community and given so much of her time for our students that she deserves to be nominated for the Careers Education and Guidance Award.

"She is a massively valued member of the community and has single handedly set up the careers department, implemented numerous successful strategies and still has so much more planned.

"She has a real passion for her job and always goes the extra mile to support a student on their future career pathway.

"She not only organises the annual careers fair with over 50 exhibitors, but all Year 10 work experience, mock interviews, 1:1's, employer risk assessments and, when she has a spare moment, she actively encourages employers to come into the school to have small group discussions with students from Year 7 to year 13."

The Careers & Enterprise Company was established by the government in 2015 to help schools and colleges, employers, funders and careers programme providers to create high impact careers, and enterprise support for young people.