DETERMINATION and a will to succeed has helped a North-East woman earn a new job.

Lisa Matthews, from Guisborough, east Cleveland, used her spare time to gain a diploma.

The 24-year-old, keen to move up the career ladder, enrolled on a distance learning programme with Pitman Training, in Newcastle, to work towards an executive PA diploma.

Now, thanks to her qualification, she is a personal assistant to the North Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner’s chief executive, Joanna Carter.

In her role, she oversees Ms Carter's diary, organises meetings, prepares business documents and arranges travel.

Ms Matthews, who achieved her qualification in nine months by studying from home, said: “My mum found this course when she was looking online and she mentioned it to me because she knew I was looking to get a better job.

“I was really surprised at how much I enjoyed it because I never liked studying at school.

“It was a different way of learning and it fitted around me; I could crack on with it whenever I had the time.

“I so pleased I did the diploma because I wouldn’t have got my new job without the diploma; it’s opened a lot more doors for me.”

Ms Matthews has now decided to carry on studying with Pitman to upgrade her diploma to an office manager diploma.

Malcolm Armstrong, managing director at Pitman Training Newcastle, added: “We are pleased Lisa has been able to put her skills into practice and I’ve no doubt she will continue to develop her career.

“Our courses are flexible and clearly focused on developing the skills employers expect from their employees.”

Pitman provides courses to students throughout the North-East on a range of qualifications.