From statistics to screwdrivers for business-minded Exeter dad

When Martyn Lufkin graduated with a degree in statistics, he had no idea that some 13 years later he would return to education - this time to train as an electrician.

The 33-year-old father of two who lives in Exeter is one of a growing number of people who retrain and switch to a completely different career after years, even decades, of doing the same thing....

Martyn had studied statistics because he was good at it, rather than because he had a specific career in mind, graduating in 2001. In fact he was so unsure what career he was suited to that he signed up with a recruitment agency, and it was they who placed him with a company which provided reports for house buyers, where he focused on looking at historical maps.

But after 11 years in a job which he had fallen into it was time for him to make a conscious decision to retrain and change to a career he felt he could thrive in. Now in his early 30s he had a much clearer idea about what he wanted from his work and what he enjoyed and decided to retrain in a completely different field - as an electrician.

“I always felt I was good working with my hands,” he says. “I never saw working in an office as long-term. I’d intended to do it for four to five years and then I was there for 11 years.

“I was looking for a big change and I felt becoming an electrician was more ‘me’ than working in an office.”

Martyn had spent several years thinking about changing career without being sure how to go about doing it.

“I didn’t know what I could do without having to do an apprenticeship. couldn’t afford to have a huge salary drop, so I couldn’t go back to college full time either. I felt I was running out of retraining options the older I became.”

It was when he discovered New Career Skills that he made his mind up to retrain.

NCS specialise in retraining mature learners in plumbing and electricals and in renewables and microgeneration. Because New Career Skills is specifically geared towards mature learners, the training package is designed to fit around the needs and restrictions of the individual.

Martyn was able to study at his own pace, continuing to work full time throughout his studies and booking practical study weeks at the New Career Skills centre in Southampton when it suited him.

“It was hard work but it was nice knowing that if life got stressful, I could leave it for a week or two. And because I didn’t have to say up front which dates for practical courses I would be doing I didn’t have any specific deadlines to hit. I fitted it in and got the work done. I was glad it worked like that.”

Martyn began the course in April 2011, finishing in June 2012. He then reduced his hours in his office job to part-time while he builds up his business - Lufkin Electricals Ltd.

He did this for financial reasons but soon discovered that there was another advantage to only working part time as an electrician initially - it was far more physical than he was used to.

“After sitting in an office not doing much exercise for all those years, even doing a full day of electrics was really tiring. It worked out well working part-time because being in the office was a break from the physical work.”

Since starting his own business his strength and stamina have improved - and he has noticed changed to his appearance.

“It has changed me a lot. I have lost some weight and am more toned but it’s my confidence as well - I have more purpose now and it makes you hold yourself differently.”

Having spent time researching his career options and deliberately choosing a path this time around, Martyn feels happy that he’s made the right decision.

“I really like seeing a job all the way through from start to completion,” he says. “I’ve gone from being a link in a chain to doing the whole thing - that’s really satisfying.”

He adds that he really enjoys the human dimension of his work. “It’s a real privilege for people to invite you to work in their own homes. They trust you - often they go out for the day and leave you working,” he says. “That’s a big deal - for people to have that level of trust in you is really valuable. I want to base my business on that trust.”

Martyn is looking forward to growing his business and switching to full time electrical work this year.

“I’m really glad I made the change when I did. I wouldn’t have wanted to be at the same company for 20 years. It was a good job but I needed a new challenge. I’m really excited about the future now. It’s about being in control of your own future.”

Steven Wines, Chief Executive of New Career Skills, said: “We are seeing a growth in enquiries from people looking to retrain because of the relative security and freedom offered by careers as domestic plumbers and electricians. Every month we receive over 8,000 enquiries and at least 30% are from people in so called “white collar” jobs looking to re-skill, either for reasons of financial security or maybe more personal reasons like a desire to be their own boss or have a better work-life balance.”

To find out more about retraining with New Career Skills call Freephone 0800 037 9934 or visit http://www.newcareerskills.co.uk/

To contact Martyn, visit www.lufkinelectricals.co.uk call 07552629977 or email martyn@lufkinelectricals.co.uk