From Call Centre to camshafts: Demi is motoring ahead on her Heavy Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Apprenticeship

Demi Ward, from Wickford, used to be sat answering phones behind a desk for a living, but now the 18 year old from Wickford has swapped the life of the call centre for one of camshafts and carburettors on her Apprenticeship in Heavy Vehicle Maintenance and Repair at South Essex College of Further & Higher Education.

The College is the lead partner of The Nova Partnership for Apprenticeships and Skills, Essex’s largest provider of apprenticeships.

The student is in the first year of her apprenticeship, which is based at the College’s Basildon Campus, and is the only female student on the course. Her commitment has already impressed her Work Based Learning Lecturer and Assessor, Steve Robertson, who said “Demi is bright, positive and hard working. She is very brave to work in a ‘heavy lorry’ site as it is rare to see female employees in this environment.”

Not letting her being the only female on the apprenticeship phase her, Demi is even adding a few female touches to her course and place of work. She commented: “I was bought pink tools from my mum and step-dad for Christmas, we tried to get pink overalls but next on the list are steel toe cap boots in silver.”

Demi’s stepfather, Len Gosling, owns the company, ‘Heavy Vehicle Services Ltd.’, that Demi works for and his step-daughter became interested in motor vehicles when he asked for her help at work. Now, Demi helps out by passing the tools, watching and learning, and with guidance, puts engines in lorries, changing brakes and wheels.

Demi works 4-5 days a week, including Saturdays, with one day spent at South Essex College, learning theory and practical, which makes it rather a full on week for Demi. She said “I love the theory side, and putting what I learn into practice.”

The course has enabled her to practice, with guidance, basic maintenance and repair of vehicles, and maintain her core occupation at work of servicing company vehicles and attending breakdowns at the side of the road.

When Demi achieves her level 2 she intends to continue with her studies in heavy vehicle maintenance and repair at Level 3. Her goal is to become a qualified technician with the aim of joining the company management – and has been offered the option of Institute of the Motor Industry Certificate of Management.

Demi certainly isn’t one to rest on her laurels and already has great plans for her future. She would like to open up the business to include haulage services, to own their own fleet of vehicles and become a carrier of other people’s goods, dealing in bulk goods like TNT.

She would like to improve her knowledge in all aspects of heavy vehicles, including body spraying and painting and driving heavy goods vehicles.

Demi already rides a motorbike and drives a car. The law is that at 18 she can drive a 7.5 ton lorry, which is a Level 2 driving course, and at 21 she can drive an articulated lorry. However, as Demi is employed in the industry, if she can obtain a grant she could gain the HGV Licence at 18 instead of waiting till she is 21.

Demi may have her feet firmly on the ground, and under lorries, but she hopes to aim even higher, quite literally. She said: “I would love to get a pilot’s licence, which I could achieve by joining the Armed Forces, another ambition of mine. The great thing is that if I decide to go in this direction then the qualification I’m gaining now could see me enter the Army as an officer.”

Demi has a great future, and a good head for business, whichever path she takes she has the drive, the experience, and will soon have the qualifications to succeed.