A former Thorpe St Andrew High school student who has progressed from work experience to acting leisure manager at a hotel and country club has been nominated for a national award.

Carly McMillan, from Thorpe St Andrew, first joined Sprowston Manor for a two-week work experience period, but after taking on a full-time role after her A-level studies she has progressed rapidly.

During this time she studied with Lifetime Learning and her progression has been so good she has been nominated for the Lifetime Learner Achievement Award 2011.

Now she can look forward to an awards ceremony in Warwick and the chance to win �500.

Miss McMillan took on a part-time role at the club during her A-level studies, after impressing in work experience.

Once she completed her studies she took on a full-time role, but her learning did not stop then.

Through Lifetime Learning she has obtained qualifications in customer service, operations management, fitness instructing and personal training, as she has progressed from gym instruction to acting leisure manager.

Miss McMillan, 22, said: 'I receive Lifetime Learning packs every month, while assessors check my work to see how I am getting on.

'They have been really supportive and because of that I have managed to get where I am today.'

One of her assessors was so impressed with her progress that she put her forward for the national award.

Miss McMillan, who admitted to being surprised by the short-listing, said: 'She asked my permission and I did not think anything of it until I got a phone call.'

The awards were open to all who had completed a training course programme with Lifetime between January 1, 2009 and March 31, 2011.

On November 17, Miss McMillan will travel to Warwick for the awards ceremony, hopeful of winning the top prize.

She also hopes members of her team will be able to follow in her footsteps as some are currently undergoing the same courses.

She said: 'Every day I am still learning and increasing my knowledge and am helping others to do the same. Hopefully the courses will improve their knowledge and further their careers too.'

Have you been nominated for a national award? Contact Local Life editor Richard Wood on 01603 772423 or email richard.wood@archant.co.uk