A HR Apprentice from Solihull College & University Centre has been recognised for her exceptional contribution to her organisation, receiving the prestigious ‘Above and Beyond’ award at the College’s Apprenticeship Impact Awards.
Laura Crosby, a Level 5 HR People Professional Apprentice, has excelled in her role and impressed College staff with her dedication, initiative, and outstanding performance. The award celebrates an apprentice who consistently surpasses expectations -someone who drives change, shows leadership, and delivers meaningful impact beyond the scope of their role.
Laura was also shortlisted for the ‘Innovation in Action’ award, further highlighting the positive influence she has had within her organisation and among her colleagues.
Laura, who works for Mears Group, one of the UK’s leading housing and care providers, created a skills matrix now embedded across the business and led projects that improved recruitment fairness and onboarding. She has empowered others, demonstrated strong leadership, and driven real organisational change.
Tim Kennedy, Head of Talent Acquisition, commented: “Laura consistently goes above and beyond, both in her apprenticeship and in her day-to-day role. She balances the demands of her qualification with a complex and emotionally intense workload, she has supported vulnerable team members through significant personal hardship.
Her commitment to developing herself and supporting others is extraordinary. Even when facing steep learning curves, she brings a positive attitude, takes feedback constructively, and always follows through. She is the kind of person who makes a quiet but lasting difference every day, someone who leads by example and inspires confidence in those around her.”
Laura commented on how much the apprenticeship has supported her development: “This apprenticeship has truly helped me thrive and grow into a confident people professional. Completing the People Professional Apprenticeship alongside my CIPD Level 5 has given me the knowledge, skills and behaviours to excel. Being able to apply what I’ve learned every day has been amazing and has made a real difference to both my work and my personal development.”
Laura recently passed her CIPD exams and achieved her apprenticeship. Lecturer, Nicky Small, commented: “Laura’s dedication, consistently high work ethic and professional curiosity have driven her remarkable progress culminating in the successful completion of her apprenticeship and a strong foundation for her future career.”
