Laura Caulton is now 21 and has completed an Apprenticeship in Business Administration, Customer Service and Sales Management and at present is gaining professional qualifications in Building Studies funded by Meadowstone. "When I began with Meadowstone at 16 I knew that to get anywhere in business I would need to be well qualified, and Apprenticeships started me on the right path. The courses were interesting and the help and advice that I received were invaluable to keep me progressing in the right direction."

Laura started at the company as an office junior and from this went into sales administration through to her present position of senior sales administrator. Laura now has a responsibility for a £1.5 million contract with a national house builder. In this position she deals with sales, specialist projects, key performance indicators and the technical side of the business. She also has responsibility for training sessions on product knowledge and telephone techniques for new employees.

"Apprenticeships are so adaptable that, if you change your jobs like I did, the course can be tailored to the needs of a new position. The tutors are friendly and approachable and the training is practical. I am a hands on person so an Apprenticeship really suited me, as I was trained in new skills that I could immediately put them in to practice which certainly helped my progress within the company. I've got a job that I really enjoy, three nationally recognised qualifications, 4 and a half years solid industrial experience and I've been paid while I've been learning!"