A SMALL training company in East Yorkshire has taken on and beaten some of the nation's major training players.

Michelle Mook, senior learning facilitator with Matrix Forty Two in George Street, Pocklington, has struck gold by scooping the IT training industry's coveted Trainer of the Year title at a presentation at London's Dorchester Hotel.

Michelle, who lives in Wilberfoss, was one of six finalists whittled down from more than 100 who entered the Institute of IT Training Awards in search of a gold award with trophy. Rivals included Sussex Police, Taylor Vinters and national trainers Xpertise.

It follows Michelle's work on a year-long "train the trainer" package with Hallmark Cards of Bradford, and a similar contract over 18 months with the National Grid.

The event proved to be a double celebration for Matrix Forty Two, because the National Grid separately won the bronze award for Internal Training Project of the Year, with which the Pocklington firm's project manager, Jooli Atkins , was closely involved.

Laurie Lister, partner at Matrix Forty Two, said: "We are all thrilled at our gold award, which is our first major national accolade.

"Hopefully, next year we will go on to win Training Company of the Year."

The honour comes at a good time for the seven-person firm, which specialises in company training across the UK.

Among its biggest projects was a £100,000 contract, teaming up with TrustMarque Solutions of Clifton Moor, Microsoft's biggest re-seller in England, to upgrade training software for the Local Government Ombudsman.

The two organisations had earlier also linked up on a similar £200,000 project to upgrade training programmes for the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.

Latest projects include providing tailored training solutions for Mitchells & Butlers, the UK operators of managed pubs, bars and restaurants, and the company has ongoing work with the National Health Service throughout the UK.

Matrix Forty Two's methods for developing trainers was recognised by the Institute of IT Training Judges, who in their citation said Michelle was "the total package of innovation and activity, applied not just in training, but the whole approach".

Updated: 10:32 Thursday, February 16, 2006