There is a huge shortage of people with skills in information technology (IT) as computer skills become increasingly important at work.

For people thinking of a career change, computer training could be just the ticket.

After 13 years as a milkman, Paul Turk, 35, from Burgess Hill, decided to change his job.

The father-of-two was starting work at 3.30am and, on his busiest days, would not finish work until 1pm.

He said: "I didn't enjoy the early mornings and I was having to cover a larger area.

"It wasn't so bad when the kids were young and they went to bed early but they were growing up and didn't want a dad who was always shattered in the evening when they wanted to play."

He had a basic knowledge of computers and was aware of the opportunities in the IT industry.

He had always been interested in programming computers and registered for a course he could complete in his own time with distance learning specialists Computeach.

Although he has yet to complete the course, eight months ago he got a job as an online tutor for Crash Training in Brighton, supporting IT students by email, phone or face-to-face.

Computeach's managing director Paul Harrison said: "Most of our successful students get jobs. There are exceptional cases like Paul's where they get new careers before qualifying."

Paul said: "It was difficult to start with because the sun was shining and I was stuck indoors. I was also used to finishing work early but I've got used to it."

Family life had improved even though he still got up early.

He said: "It's very easy to find reasons not to change your life but you just need to be self-motivated."

Learning IT skills is about more than programming and specialist skills.

People with few IT skills are learning the basics to help them forge new careers.

Composer and conductor Robert Purvis, 54, from Brighton, wants to work in theatre administration.

He said: "I produced one of my own pieces last year because I couldn't find anyone else to produce it.

"It got me thinking it would be good to learn some IT skills to help me move into something else."

He registered on the flexible learning programme at City College Brighton and Hove.

He is learning about word processing and plans to do courses about spreadsheets and databases.

He is also teaching himself to touch-type. He said: "I'm now happy to have a go at pie charts and tables and my aim is to become completely comfortable. I realised something in my life had to change.

"A lot of the contracts I tended to work on were for West End musicals like Chicago and they can leave you feeling dazed.

"I think I'm well on the way to achieving what I wanted to."

For more details, call Computeach on 0800 657657 or City College Brighton and Hove on 01273 667788.

www.bricoltech.ac.uk
www.computeach.co.uk
Tuesday March 25 2003