Demi-lea Atkinson

School:
Apprenticeship

Profession:
Finance Apprentice

Before starting the Apprenticeship I would sit around and not do much, but now I’m motivated to get out of bed because I’m doing something I enjoy, I come here to work and I love it.

Balltec Ltd is a relatively small company, which designs, manufactures and tests high integrity, mechanical connectors for critical applications in the global oil, gas and renewable energy sectors.

Andrew Spruyt, Site Manager at Balltec, explains why the company decided to take on apprentice:

We find that apprentices don’t come in to the business with any habits from having worked in similar environments, and we can train them up to the skills and levels that we require.

The initial benefit of supporting an apprentice is the cost implication of bringing a young person in. Another benefit is also the fact that you can train them up and mould them to your requirements, and they will hopefully stay on within your company.

As a Finance Apprentice, Demi-lea is responsible for dealing with the company’s purchase orders, off-shore expense forms and other accountancy related jobs; all of which involve crunching large numbers with little room for error… but this is what Demi-lea loves about her role.

When asked what she has learnt during her time at Balltec, Demi explains that the Apprenticeship has taught her the basic traits needed to progress in her career; confidence and motivation.

Before I came here I was not confident at all, but the team here has helped me to come out of my shell by making me feel welcome and a part of the team.

I’ve also learnt motivation; before starting the Apprenticeship I would sit around and not do much, but now I’m motivated to get out of bed because I’m doing something I enjoy – I come here to work and I love it.

In her own words, Demi gets up in the morning feeling proud to go work because she is doing something that she enjoys, and encourages anybody thinking about completing an Apprenticeship to ‘just go for it.’

You don’t know what it feels like until you are actually doing the apprenticeship. It’s such a good environment to be in and it gives the extra boost and skills that will help you when trying to progress, so if anyone has any doubts definitely push them to the side!