Work

There is a dangerous virus being passed electronically, orally and by hand. This virus is called Worm-Overload-Recreational-Killer (WORK). If you receive WORK from any of your colleagues, your boss or anyone else via any means DO NOT TOUCH IT. This virus will wipe out your private life completely. If you should come into contact with WORK put your jacket on and take2 good friends to the nearest pub. Purchase the antidote known as Work-Isolator-Neutralizer-Extractor (WINE). The quickest acting WINE type is called Swift-Hitting-Infiltrator-Remover-All-Zones (SHIRAZ) but this is only available for those who can afford it, the next best equivalent is Cheapest-Available-System-Killer (CASK).Take the antidote repeatedly until WORK has been completely eliminated from your system Forward this warning to 5 friends. If you do not have 5 friends you have already been infected and WORK is controlling your life. This virus is DEADLY(Destroys-Every-Available-Decent-Living-Youngster). Update 05-05-05: After extensive testing it has been concluded that Best-Equivalent-Extractor-Remedy (BEER) may be substituted for WINE but may require a more generous application.

Originally i began my working life in the print industry, initially as the works gopher.  Over a period of time I went through

my apprentiship in the bindary, experiencing numerous sections from the shop floor to running the bindary and liasing with customers to meet their impossible demands.

After 13year's I became one of the countless millions suffering from cancer (Macmillan cancer relief).  Having gone through all the tests, the chemotherapy, loss of hair all with the support of my family.   Whilst tying to continue with life in the print trade, I realised far too much time was taken up in work.  To which end I started to look at alternative ways of working.  Looking at the world of Information Technology, I realised that may be, just may be I could combine work with family.  I started on a basic IT course covering software used in the office.  Back then it was the old blue screen with hidden codes being entered by the user, non of the WYSIWYG editors you get today. Finding that I both enjoyed using the computer, and that I was reasonably OK I found work and courses to fuel my enthusiasm for IT.

Having passed my City & Guilds in Computers at level 3, I followed up this grounding at Walsall College doing a 2 year night school class qualifying with a HNC in Computer Science.  Whilst studying at the college, I became a tutor out at a community outreach post in Wolverhampton and Walsall.  Providing training for the unemployed, taking them from very little, and in some cases no knowledge of IT to gaining a recognised qualification.  This gave many of the students confidence in both themselves and their abilities, some went on to start their own business's.

Having completed my City & Guilds, I got my first job at Walsall Manor Hospital on the support desk.  Answering queries from admin staff, nurses and doctors on the specialist database.   Re-directing prints, backing up data and creating reports.  The experience I gained here was to become invaluable.  Being a part-time post gave me time to self study at home, financially it was difficult, but then you have to think of the bigger picture.

As mentioned above I became a tutor for the college, providing training for others opened my eyes.  Finding that by providing simple to follow instructions without using all the jargon that goes within the IT industry, students quickly became confident and knowledgeable.  Proving that once you have a good solid foundation you can build on it.  This is still the way I work when providing informal training sessions.

Back in 1998 Jim Brooks, who I met whilst doing my HNC, approached me to work with him at Projects IT in Telford.  Jim and I worked with corporate companies such as Britvic and Saga.  It was my role to prove that some of Jim's ideas could and would work.

Eventually Jim set up his own company Egal Systems based in Wolverhampton.

Continuing along the theme of education, I took a sideways career move providing ICT Support at Fir Tree Primary School.  This provided me with a chance to learn network technologies.  Originally the school had a sum total of 10 PC's, this included the office!  With the vision of the Head Teacher the school has now grown to having networked and internet ready computers in every classroom, plus a fully furnished ICT Suite with 32 work stations plus a teachers console.  For my part I outlined the technical specifications for the machines, and network requirements.  With some 360 users, it was imperative that we got it right.

The network installation was completed by MJC IT Solutions Ltd, as for the Smart Board's in each and every class room, these were done by myself and the Site Manager, Mike as well as MJC.

For approximately 18 months I supported the network, associated software and peripherals.  Adding new students on to the main server running Windows Server 2000, creating policies and batch files to ensure the smooth running of the system.  After 6 months, the Youth Group were given access to the suite, and the Internet.  This proved a new challenge, with Internet Access.  For this solution we went to a company called Inty, who provide secure internet access controls, logging users activities and restricting access to specific web site types.

Now having gained an all round knowledge, I felt that it was time I made my own mark using the skills I have learnt.

I would like to say a big thank you to Julia my wife for supporting me throughout both the good times and the bad, without whom I would not be the person I am today.