GLORIA Partis can thank her love of shopping for helping her take her first steps in a promising career.

The 16-year-old, from Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, always felt that training was important for her future prospects.

However, she always thought that earning a proper wage would be the only way to indulge her passion for shopping.

But only weeks after being offered a place on a training course at the North-East Chamber of Commerce in Darlington, the organisation spotted her potential and offered her a job as an administrative assistant.

She has been able to transfer to a Modern Apprenticeship, which offers a job from day one, and now spends one day each month training and studying for her NVQ Level II in business administration, and the weekends buying new items for her wardrobe.

She said: "I'm thrilled to have got this opportunity and the apprenticeship has been ideal for me because I do want a proper wage.

"I never expected to get a job so soon, but I intend to use my training and new job experience to work my way up the ladder."

John Hill, training chamber manager, said: "We were very impressed with Gloria's work and she is doing very well.

"She may have taken a slightly different route in to a full-time job, but it has worked out successfully."

Information about Modern Apprenticeships is available from the Learning Skills Council on (0845) 019 4174.