Hard-working Jordyn Greason joined an established family firm of jewellers rather than leaving the island to study or work.

Manx-born Jordyn turned her back on the idea of going into higher education and working across when she joined Corletts the Jewellers at the age of 19.

Now aged 25 she has successfully completed a top jewellery industry qualification.

Her bosses at the shop in Castle Street, Douglas, say Jordyn is an inspiration for other young people who might prefer not to head off to university and get stuck in with working for a home-grown Manx business instead.

Former Ballakermeen High School student Jordyn, who lives in Baldrine with her mum and stepfather and has two younger sisters, says she has never looked back since deciding to stay in the island.

She gained an A grade in the JET 2 course which is an internationally recognised qualification from the National Association of Jewellers designed to give people involved with the jewellery trade a high knowledge of gemstones, precious metals and customer awareness and leave them with an indispensable practical knowledge of the sector.

Jordyn decided to stay in the Isle of Man when she completed sixth form at the Douglas school and became a G H Corlett ’gem’ in 2011 and now works within the team specialising in jewellery repairs.

Gary Corlett, owner of G H Corlett, told Business News: ’It is with considerable pride that we congratulate Jordyn on her successful completion of the second part of the JET2 course.

’Not every young person wants to leave the island, and it is good that local companies can encourage these enthusiastic young people to flourish at home here.

’We have been in business in the Isle of Man since 1835, but that certainly doesn’t mean we’re out of date!

’We try to encourage our team to obtain qualifications like this one to further ensure we are up to date and on a par with all of our contemporaries.

’Many of our customers have already benefitted from Jordyn’s considerable expertise and knowledge in creation of bespoke items, finding the perfect piece of jewellery or successful watch repair. She is an asset to the team.

’Generations of Corletts have strived to offer a high standard of service paired with high quality products and we continue to work to ensure our customers receive value for money and friendly informative service; whether that’s for a watch battery, engraving or a special gift for a loved one.’

Jordyn told Business News she went into the sixth form at Ballakermeen after passing her GCSEs.

’I did the first year at sixth form and then I realised that sixth form was not really what I wanted to do.

’I did not want to go to university and everyone around me was talking about how they wanted to go to university and how they wanted to be things like teachers, lawyers and accountants .

’That was just not something I could see myself doing.

’I’m not really a sit at a desk all day, every day type of person.’

She left school and found a job at another shop in Douglas town centre where she stayed for a couple of months before finding the job at Corletts.

Nearly six years later she has carved out her own niche at the shop where Gary Corlett is the sixth generation of Corletts in the business.

She loves meeting customers, many of whom are regulars, and has overcome her own shyness.

Mr Corlett’s wife Pauline is the business’s company secretary. She said: ’We could see that she had a little bit extra.She was attentive, she was interested in the customers and certainly in the stock.

’She began to shine like a gemstone. And we thought this girl definitely has potential and needs some encouragement.

’It was great to have somebody like her with the enthusiasm she has got. We are a family business and we have encouraged her all we can.’

And Pauline is full of praise for the island’s young people.

’Our young people are fabulous. They put so much into the economy and help to make the Isle of Man so special.’

Jordyn Greason is a valued member of staff at Corletts where she is described as an asset to the team