Helping Hand

September 2009

80:20 Procurement Services happy to support graduate trainee Kim

A LEADING oil and gas services company is playing its part in helping a member of staff achieve her academic goal.

Aberdeen-based 80:20 Procurement Services is supporting graduate trainee Kim Smith through

her BA in Business Management degree at The Robert Gordon University.

The company takes a huge weight off Kim's mind by picking up the cost of course fees, materials and five days' study leave - allowing her to concentrate on degree modules.

The determined 22-year-old holds down a full-time 9-5 job and, two nights a week, spends from 6pm until 9pm at the university.

Kim, who lives in the Mannofield area of Aberdeen, said: "Working during the day, studying and attending lectures at night is very hard work, but I'm old enough now to realise all the commitment will, hopefully, be worth it in the end.

"80:20 has been extremely supportive, and all the staff take a great deal of interest in how I'm doing, which gives me a lot of encouragement.

"I feel I've benefited from working full-time since leaving school as this has given me a great deal of real-life experience that has been extremely useful during the course.

"I wasn't ready and the will wasn't there to try to go to university straight from school. I'm now older, wiser, and have the drive and enthusiasm to do it, which is half the battle.

"Most of my nights are spent studying, and the key is to get into a routine and stick to it. However, I don't want to sound like a bore ? I still have a social life."

Kim has this week passed her first-year exams, comprising eight modules ? financial environment, management concepts, business ethics, management accounting, people management, marketing, economics and communication industries.

Directors Tony Bannon and Paul Dorward, both MBA graduates who earned their degrees while in full-time employment, believe that studying in this manner requires real commitment and are delighted Kim is doing so well and are happy to support her.

Tony said: "We believe being a graduate trainee is a great way to learn as you're combining a real working environment with the latest academic principles. Kim has the opportunity to put the theory into practice here at 80:20 Procurement Services."

Former Hazlehead Academy pupil Kim works with major operators and oilfield service companies as part of her role at 80:20, which is based at the city's East Tullos Industrial Estate and employs 14 staff.

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