Andrew swaps sales for sails

A sales assistant from Ulverston has diversified from life in the DIY trade to paint himself a new hi-tech career in the IT industry.

Twenty-six year old Andrew Doyle realised that after two years it was time to climb the career ladder, so he enrolled on an IT training programme that helped him swap nuts and bolts for bits and bytes. Now his future looks like plain-sailing as he launches a new hi-tech career with a shipbuilding company.

"IT was a hobby that I enjoyed," Andrew explains of his decision to retrain, "and I wanted better money and an opportunity for career progression." Despite having little knowledge of computers he put his efforts into gaining the skills that IT employers are interested in.

Having seen an advert for distance learning experts, Computeach International, in his local newspaper, Andrew realised that he could sail through the course in his spare time whilst continuing with his DIY duties. "I liked the fact that I could study in my own time and keep my job," he recalls.

Before even completing his course, the former DIY retailer hit the nail on the head and launched his new career with an IT position for a Cumbrian shipbuilder where he is responsible for programming work to enhance the efficiency of the company's computer system. Andrew is delighted to have gained a position with better prospects. "Even though I'm contracting, the job has made me aware of how a large company works," he comments. "My lifestyle has totally changed; I now have a career and more cash."

Now looking forward to gaining more experience and advancing his career further, Andrew offers these words of advice for anyone looking to embark on a new career. "You need self-motivation and you must also enjoy what you are doing," he states. If it's what you want to do, go for it."