Award winner Lorena bags apprentice gong
Motherwell’s Lorena Cocozza has been crowned Modern Apprentice of the Year at the Scottish Apprenticeship Awards.
The 20- year- old excelled in her financial services apprenticeship with HSBC and had her efforts recognised at the prestigious ceremony in Perth Concert Hall.
Skills Development Scotland organised the celebration of the best apprentices and employers in the country.
And the former Our Lady’s High School pupil won in the MA SCQF Level 6+ category.
Lorena is able to work, learn and earn by taking a Modern Apprenticeship at the HSBC base in Hamilton.
She was recognised for delivering outstanding service to thousands of HSBC customers as part of her Providing Financial Services Modern Apprenticeship.
Lorena said: “It feels amazing to have won. “I’m so shocked but so happy. “I would highly recommend an apprenticeship because it brings so many opportunities.
“The ultimate highlight has been winning this award.”
On leaving school, Lorena went to university but found it wasn’t for her.
Having had a part-time job with a bank she decided it would suit her better to get qualifications in that sector and grasped the opportunity of an apprenticeship with HSBC.
“The apprenticeship path really suits me.
“I’m doing something I enjoy by helping customers. Liking my job also motivates me to study,” Lorena explained.
Lorena said that as well as gaining a lot of work skills, she has developed personally during her apprenticeship.
“I’ve grown so much in confidence with my apprenticeship – my manager says that all the time,” added Lorena.
Lorena’s manager at HSBC, Nicholas Cooper said: “Lorena, and indeed the whole apprenticeship team, has really excelled beyond our expectations.
“They f l ew t hrough t heir apprenticeships because they worked together and focused on taking the learning on board.”
Modern Apprenticeships help employers develop their workforce by training new staff and upskilling existing employees.
For more information visit the Skills Development Scotland website.