Christoffer Roost is an apprentice surface treatment specialist at BIRN in Holstebro after having been employed as an unskilled production worker in the company's packing centre for just over a year and a half. His time at BIRN has given him the desire to learn again after a challenging time at school, and this is a great personal victory for him.

After several unskilled jobs and temporary positions, the idea of further education began to grow in Christoffer Roost's mind, but it was only at BIRN that his dream could finally become a reality. 

- My current manager trained as a surface treatment specialist at BIRN and subsequently became head of the department. He asked me if I would be interested in doing the same programme. At first, I thought it was a joke, but he actually meant it. I was quite happy that my boss showed me that trust and believed in me, so I started the programme, says Christoffer and continues:

- I don't have very good memories of going to school and had a very difficult time both in primary school and at high school. It was therefore with some reservations that I started the surface treatment programme. I was diagnosed with ADHD quite late in life, but I'm older now and have received help to deal with the diagnosis. It makes it much easier for me to go to school, so I'm really happy to have been given the opportunity to do the programme and apprenticeship here at BIRN. It's really cool.

“I've probably always had the desire to develop and educate myself, but it's only at BIRN that I've really been allowed to do so.”

Christoffer Roost, Apprentice Surface Treatment

Prioritising employee training is important

Christoffer believes that it is very important for companies to prioritise training their employees, and he appreciates that BIRN doesn't just talk about offering training opportunities, but actually does something about it.

He also appreciates that employee involvement is an integral part of the company's way of working. In Christoffer's case, this has been reflected in the fact that it was quickly realised that he was interested in making the workplace an even better place. He was invited to a meeting and asked what ideas he had for improving the work environment.

- This is the first time I've experienced a workplace that so actively includes employees. I am a member of the well-being group here at BIRN and in this way contribute to increasing the common well-being, which is a great desire and focus area for the entire company. In addition, I have often contributed ideas and suggestions to our ideas committee, where various initiatives for small and large improvements from employees are rewarded and implemented. For example, when I suggested that we get an electric sack truck to help us carry heavy chemical cans up the stairs, Christoffer explains. 

 

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Great professional and personal development

The surface treatment programme takes two years and six months and alternates between school and apprenticeship at BIRN. For Christoffer, his time at BIRN has already given him great development, both professionally and personally.

- I've probably always had the desire to develop and educate myself, but it's only at BIRN that I've really been allowed to do so. I want to help make the company an even better place to work, and I'm very happy to have the opportunity to do so. It's exciting to be able to discuss improvements with our CEO in the wellbeing group and help make things better. Quite simply, it pays to invest in your employees, and it certainly makes me want to give more of myself for the benefit of all my colleagues, says Christoffer.

APPRENTICESHIPS AND INTERNSHIPS
We hire apprentices and interns from many different educational backgrounds. 

Do you want to start an apprenticeship or internship at one of Norhern Europe's leading foundries? Then please contact us.

Group HR Business Partner, Maria Mohr Holst

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