The Hampshire-based Matrix IT has been nominated for three awards in the upcoming PETA Apprentice & Employer of the Year Awards next month.

The IT Managed Services provider has been nominated for Best Apprentice Employer (SME), whilst two of its team members are also in the running for individual awards.

Marketing Assistant, Ellis Batchelor has been selected as a nominee for the IT Apprentice of the Year award, and Operations Manager Louise Bushall is vying for the Rising Star Award.

The awards ceremony, which has become PETA’s biggest event of the year, will be held at Portsmouth Guildhall on June 28.

After starting their apprenticeships with PETA Learning and consequently joining Matrix IT, both Ellis and Louise have proven to be pivotal players in the company.

Louise said: "My role has been varied and fulfilling since the start, having been kept busy learning the ropes, shadowing engineers, and assisting the senior management team with sales and operations. As Matrix grew, so did my career, and I soon moved towards operations.

"Matrix was always there to support me, and after completing my apprenticeship, I was offered a permanent position. As Operations Manager, I am now part of a team supporting operations, procurement, and HR and have been part of an exciting team which has helped Matrix expand even further than we could have hoped for."

For Ellis, the transition to the IT sector came after an unfulfilling spell in retail. She said: "Before Matrix, I had no clear career path; however, during my time here, I have discovered my passion for Marketing, which is something that I wouldn’t have initially considered, especially within the IT sector."