Award and promotion for Chelsea

A DUNDEE teenager has told how she made a nerve-racking address to hundreds of people as she scooped a top national award.

Chelsea Elliot, 17, saw off competition from thousands of mentees across the country to be named Career Ready’s student of the year at an event in London.

The Kirkton resident was last year mentored by Sleeperz Hotel general manager Manny Barber, who was so impressed that he offered her a job at the Dundee city centre venue.

Since our article in The Courier in November 2021, Chelsea, who completes her final exam at Morgan Academy at the end of May, has already been promoted from receptionist to groups co-ordinator at Sleeperz.

After being nominated by Manny, she picked up her coveted award at the ceremony at Drapers Hall – one of 12 students from across the UK to be named student of the year.

Chelsea said: “To win the award I had to go through an online judging process where I told my story.

“I was then lucky enough to be invited to the awards ceremony which was both the most exciting and the most nerve-racking experience. I had never been to a dinner quite like it.

“I then had the most challenging experience whereby I had to talk on stage in front of hundreds of people.

“This really challenged me but I’m so proud that I did it.”

During her time on the Career Ready programme, Chelsea undertook a paid four-week internship at Sleeperz Hotel and received one-to-one mentoring from Manny.

She also took part in a series of skills masterclasses hosted by local employers.

The award recognises students who have excelled and developed career skills.

Chelsea added: “I have been promoted to groups co-ordinator, which is something I never saw myself doing, and if it wasn’t for Career Ready I would never have this opportunity.

“I am thrilled to still be involved with Career Ready and can’t wait to progress further and hopefully be a mentor.