AN apprentice has been recognised for outstanding work at a charity which uses snow sports to turn around the lives of inner-city youngsters.

Business administration apprentice Gabriella Biazotti, 27, of Poets Corner, Hove, has been working at Snow-Camp. in Portland Road, Hove.

She finished her one-year apprenticeship five weeks early and her employer has appointed her as community co-ordinator.

Gabriella is one of three young learners to be recognised at the annual national Central YMCA Apprenticeship Awards Ceremony at the House of Commons on Monday. The event coincided with National Apprenticeship Week, which starts on Monday.

She said: “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.”

Gabriella was keen to move out of hospitality and into business administration but she lacked the experience to make the transition.

The YMCA’s business administration Level 2 City and Guilds apprenticeship bridged her skills gap.

She said: “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.”

Snow-Camp inspires inner-city youngsters to excel through skiing, snowboarding and life skills training.