TEENAGER Heather Rowe once thought she would never be good at anything.

While she hadn't got involved with drugs or crime like some other teenagers, the 16-year-old said she was just bored by mainstream education at her secondary school - and she lacked any motivation in her life.

Now two years on, things couldn't be more different for the Fleur-de-lys youngster.

She has graduated and has her eyes on a career, all thanks to a conversation with her former headteacher who suggested she should try a military preparation school.

Miss Rowe, who previously attended Heolddu Comprehensive School in Bargoed, transferred to Military Preparation School in Cardiff in 2006.

Miss Rowe said it was the best decision she has made: "This has changed my life because before coming here I thought I had no prospects and that there was nothing I would be good at.”

She said: “To be entirely honest I think the college and the school course is the best thing that could happen to any young person like myself."

She went onto the Military Preparation College, Dumballs Road, Cardiff and is celebrating after being recognised as the most academic student.

Miss Rowe was one of 26 students from across South East Wales taking part in the graduation ceremony at the MPC centre.

The programme works with youngsters, including those who are involved in crime or drugs, and aims to help them get their lives back on track.

Having now graduated from the college Miss Rowe is waiting to see if she will be selected as a staff personnel support officer for the Adjutant General Corps (AGC), which involves administrative jobs such as payroll and keeping up-to-date with information such as next of kin.

She said: “This helped me to find my goal because once I started learning about the Army I knew I didn’t want to do a civilian job.”

Miss Rowe said her long-term ambition was return to the college as a tutor so she can help young people change their lives around just as the staff at the college helped her.

Miss Rowe’s guardian, Valmai Hitchman, said the MPC was the best thing that could have happened to Heather.

She said: “I just can’t believe how much her self confidence has improved - she’s travelled up and down the country without any worry.

"When I went to the presentation evening and listened to Heather speak in front of everyone, it was one of my proudest moments and I realised that my little girl had become a young lady to be proud of.”

MPC South Wales area manager, Joseph Murphy, said: “Heather is a very diligent, enthusiastic girl, she has a great spirit and we have really seen a change in her.

“She is a great girl and is an asset to her section.”