International online awards the SuperAchievers opens for nominations this week, with a new category, ‘Boss of the Year’ in addition to previous awards including ‘PA of the Year’, as the awards enter their fifth year looking to recognise those who strive to achieve while having a positive impact on their colleagues, families and the local economy.
With a recent survey from Pitman Training on British modesty highlighting that a quarter of UK-based workers may be suffering from too much ‘Britishness’ as they hide their talents under a bushel and back away from celebrating their achievements, SuperAchievers judge Lucy Brazier encourages us not to shy away from success: “This is a great accolade to add to your CV. I’d urge people to nominate themselves, as well as others and rid the Britishness of modesty to instead celebrate success.” Nominations are now open and entries can be submitted for free via pitmansuperachievers.com.
The addition of Employer of the Year comes after many previous SuperAchiever winners credited the company culture and support of their bosses for what they had achieved. This year Pitman hopes employees will also nominate the employers who inspire them so they can showcase those who are shining examples of supportive environments enabling staff to grow.
Last year’s reining ‘PA of the Year’ Jennifer Corcoran is supporting the awards; Jennifer herself has had experience of not only winning the title category last year, but also creating new business opportunities for herself after having taken various courses over the last few years. After setting up her own business last year, she is now embarking on a new career path in her 40s, widening her scope from being a PA to a virtual assistant and consultant who will specialise in social media and online impact reviews, helping professionals and entrepreneurs make more of an impact on social media.
Jennifer commented: “Winning Pitman’s SuperAchiever PA of the Year Award has greatly increased my confidence, profile and network. Assistants for the most part are used to being in the background and helping others shine and this was my proud moment where I could reflect on my achievements and contribution. Taking part in the process was a fabulous opportunity to network, broaden my skills and push boundaries. The recognition gave me the platform to showcase my passion of championing the PA profession and getting women to find their voice, be visible and recognise their true value. I have since made the leap from PA to VA and am embarking on an exciting new journey as an entrepreneur with my new business My Super Connector. It can feel a bit unnatural tooting your own horn but you have nothing to lose and everything to gain and may surprise yourself along the way. My personal mantra is ‘Believe you can and you are half way there’. What are you waiting for? Time to start tooting.”
You can read Jennifer’s story as last year’s winner at superachievers.pitman-training.com/previous-winners.php.
Claire Lister, Managing Director of Pitman Training Group said: “We see so many examples of our students working tirelessly, often juggling family life to achieve their professional goals, to contribute to the local economy. Many overcome high levels of adversity and often lives are transformed – we are constantly inspired by them. These awards are our chance to widen the recognition beyond our students and celebrate anyone in who has committed to achieving professional goals, whilst also celebrating employers that make success possible.
“This time of year people are traditionally a bit restless in their jobs, and we want to help inspire people to see that they can change their futures by boosting their skills and really focusing on their goals.”
Alongside Jennifer Corcoran, this year’s judging panel is made up of Claire Barratt, entrepreneur, author, mother of five and founder of caricature brand ClaireaBella, a celebrity favourite brand which she created from her kitchen table whilst juggling her day job of being a special constable and detention officer; Lucy Brazier, international speaker and Director of Marcham Publishing, a training and development magazine for EAs; John Adams, Author of Dad Blog UK; and Diane Rose, Director of CPD Assessment and Membership at The Professional Development Consortium.
The team is on the hunt for entries for the following categories:
- PA of the Year
- Working Mum of the Year
- Working Dad of the Year
- Inspirational Achiever of the Year
- Boss of the Year
- Entrepreneur of the Year
- Student of the Year (Nominated solely by Pitman Training Centres)
Nominations are now open and entries can be submitted for free via pitmansuperachievers.com. Once entries have been submitted a shortlist is created, then the public have the opportunity to vote, alongside the judging panel on who they feel should be the winners.
All winners will receive a prestigious SuperAchievers Award, a cash prize of £500 to help them on their way to achieving their goals, and a distance learning training course (courtesy of Pitman Training Group), as well as additional prizes including a one-hour personal impact review with Jennifer, ‘Brand YOU,’ which will review the LinkedIn profile and personal branding of the PA of the Year winner, and 121 Mentor call for Working Mum of the Year from Claire Barratt, along with her creating a ClaireaBella character for them.
Judge Lucy Brazier said: “I’m excited to be back judging the SuperAchievers for the second time; it’s incredible to see just how much the awards have impacted those nominated, shortlisted and of course the winners over the last few years. Pitman Training has really put vocational development on the map, and it really is so key to recognise that in colleagues, friends and family who are striving to achieve their career goals. This is a great accolade to add to your CV. I’d urge people to nominate themselves, as well as others and rid the Britishness of modesty to instead celebrate success”.
Pitman Training offers flexible, tailor-made courses and qualifications with one-on-one student support in subjects including Office, IT, Administration, Finance and Business, which are recognised by employers. The teams also offer free career clinics and CVs advice. For more information see www.pitman-training.com
The UK’s leading independent training provider, Pitman Training launched the SuperAchievers Awards to show anything is possible and to help reward people committed to driving their careers forward in a bid to inspire more of the British workforce to strive for more.
