A DURHAM organisation has helped a student to start her career following her win of an ‘Apprentice’-style competition.

The Rotary Club of Durham has set St Leonard’s pupil, Anna Duffell, on her dream career path following her win of the Durham Learners Project. The ‘Apprentice’-style competition, which took place from September to March this year, saw students put their entrepreneurial skills to use, competing to receive funding for a work placement at a business of their choice. Taking place in Durham Market Hall, students worked in teams to create and market a brand-new stall, aimed to attract 16 to 24-year olds to the market place. Designed to test their creative thinking, marketing ability, business analysis and interviewing technique, the students worked through five rounds to impress the judges at The Rotary Durham Club, whilst also developing their business knowledge, communications skills and most importantly, their confidence.

Anna said: “I am so grateful to receive this prize and can’t wait to start my work placement soon.

“I really enjoyed the challenge and I feel it has helped me to improve so many skill. I now feel more prepared for the future than before and can’t wait to test all I have learnt in real working situations.”

Running annually, The Rotary Club of Durham’s Durham Learners Project is open to students aged 16 to 17 at St Leonard’s School in Durham.