Michelle Dewberry, who shot to fame after winning a job with Sir Alan Sugar in the TV show's second series, cut the ribbon to officially open the new premises of WS Training.

Miss Dewberry praised the work of the company, which offers training courses and apprenticeships in a variety of industries at its learning centres in Bury St Edmunds, Ipswich and Haverhill.

"I really advocate training in the workplace," she said. "It's important for employees and employers. People don't just want nine to five jobs – they want careers."

Speaking of her time on The Apprentice and the media attention that followed the series, Miss Dewberry, who now runs her own consultancy firm, said: "Immediately afterwards there was an aftermath about my personal life that was very difficult to deal with.

"I've taken myself out of that situation now and it doesn't bother me, but initially it made things quite difficult.

"The Apprentice was a brilliant life experience. It was very hard work, very gruelling, but it's one of the best things I've achieved and I'm very proud of myself.

"I try to teach people now that you can be and do everything you want if you're willing to work for it."

Jane Vincent, WS Training's chief executive, said she hoped Miss Dewberry's success would inspire others, having started as a supermarket checkout girl and rising to the top after completing a Youth Training Scheme.

"We train around 400 apprentices a year and it seemed right to bring in a high-profile person who worked her way up," she said.

"She's a shining example of what we do."

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