sub_low
16th October 2007, 02:06
Hello and thanks for having a nosey!
My name is Phil and in 3 weeks time I move back home to NZ with my pregnant wife to await the birth of our first child.
I’m 30 years old and have been into bikes as far back as I can remember, owning many over the years and doing most of the servicing myself thanks to a reasonable sized collection of Haynes Manuals.
About 4 years ago I made the decision to leave the Live Sound Industry where I worked my way up the food chain for the previous 9 years which also had me offered work in the UK where my wife and I have lived for the last 7 years.
Since leaving the pro audio industry 4 years ago I have been on the hunt for Career number 2 and if I’m honest have been struggling to figure out the question as to what it would be that would actually make me happy and keep me interested. Since being in the UK I had made a real point of getting to as many British Super Bike races as possible and as a result being the typical kiwi found it easy to network a little in the BSB paddock eventually making a number of reasonable friendships in a few of the teams, namely HRC’s HM Plant and Redbull Honda and GSE racing (Airwaves Ducati)
After a while I started sniffing around for work but was eventually told by
Neil Tuxworth, HM Plant Honda’s Team manger and MD for Honda Racing UK that although they would love to give me a job sweeping their floor due to my passion and drive but the reality of the situation was that due to my limited actual service experience I wouldn’t be a much of an option as a team member however I was told to keep in touch and maybe somewhere down the line that could change should I get a little more experience. I would love to exploit that contact again sometime down the line.
This did get me thinking. I had been thinking about going to university and doing engineering how ever I wasn’t really sure if that was actually what I wanted to do. I figured that going to university just because all of my other adult friends who were also looking for a genuine career change were was pointless and after all I don’t have to be going to University to find career number 2. I didn’t really like the idea of doing some course in another career that actually doesn’t excite me in my heart and doesn’t really combine a genuine passion and major interest with a means of income.
After talking with my wife about it for a while we agreed that the idea of finding a motorcycle apprenticeship would probably make me as happy as pig in s£$t and why not. I understand the money would never be as good as possible other carers but I don’t care as I’m not one who has any interest in material possessions as my only source of drive in life, so long as I’m working with or around bikes I don’t think id ever change my mind on that career change choice.
I have a genuine 5 year plan that in the early stages of 2008 I would be looking to start. Ultimately I'd be interested in working my way into a career as an engine builder in the racing industry however right now I'm looking to start at the very bottom where ever I can so long as it’s on bikes.
For the last 4 years I have been working as a Engineering Manager in 5 year old central London high rise building were I’m responsible for managing a team of 4 engineers maintaining and servicing the building’s £25million + ,HVAC plant and building fully automated engineering services.
Thanks to my natural mechanical aptitude and work ethic it hasn’t taken me long to move up the chain of command here however should I be successful in finding the start required to get my new career going I would be genuinely wanting to sweep the floor like any freshly out of school apprentice would be expected to do and make the tea and coffee where needed if the case maybe. I do have a bit of knowledge already but do take constructive criticism like oxygen as I do see it being vital to my personal growth however Id also be more than prepared to do the required tech classes were need be. Id also be prepared to work for an adult apprentices wage should you be interested in taking someone who already has substantial life experience and is genuinely wanting this as a new career.
I am a very hard and proactive worker. I never look at the clock and I’m more than prepared to do the hours required what ever they are if the work load is on and you have commitments to your clients and customers
Lastly, thank you for taking the time to read this letter and I hope that is a case of perfect timing. My wife and I will be back in the NZ where we will be moving to Waitara in Taranaki however I would be prepared to travel up to an hour and 20 minutes each way to work should and opportunity be on the table. After growing up in Auckland most of my life and living in London UK for the last 7 years driving an hour 20 is pretty typical so nothing to worry about.
My wife is due to give birth to my son around the end of December. Ideally I would prefer to get started early Jan 2008 however should you have anything sooner I will be available and back in the country from the 20th of November.
Thank you again for taking the time to read this and I look forward to hearing from you should you have any opportunities or advice as to how to get this new career decision moving.
Kind Regards.
Phil Jones
philthy.jones@hotmail.com
My name is Phil and in 3 weeks time I move back home to NZ with my pregnant wife to await the birth of our first child.
I’m 30 years old and have been into bikes as far back as I can remember, owning many over the years and doing most of the servicing myself thanks to a reasonable sized collection of Haynes Manuals.
About 4 years ago I made the decision to leave the Live Sound Industry where I worked my way up the food chain for the previous 9 years which also had me offered work in the UK where my wife and I have lived for the last 7 years.
Since leaving the pro audio industry 4 years ago I have been on the hunt for Career number 2 and if I’m honest have been struggling to figure out the question as to what it would be that would actually make me happy and keep me interested. Since being in the UK I had made a real point of getting to as many British Super Bike races as possible and as a result being the typical kiwi found it easy to network a little in the BSB paddock eventually making a number of reasonable friendships in a few of the teams, namely HRC’s HM Plant and Redbull Honda and GSE racing (Airwaves Ducati)
After a while I started sniffing around for work but was eventually told by
Neil Tuxworth, HM Plant Honda’s Team manger and MD for Honda Racing UK that although they would love to give me a job sweeping their floor due to my passion and drive but the reality of the situation was that due to my limited actual service experience I wouldn’t be a much of an option as a team member however I was told to keep in touch and maybe somewhere down the line that could change should I get a little more experience. I would love to exploit that contact again sometime down the line.
This did get me thinking. I had been thinking about going to university and doing engineering how ever I wasn’t really sure if that was actually what I wanted to do. I figured that going to university just because all of my other adult friends who were also looking for a genuine career change were was pointless and after all I don’t have to be going to University to find career number 2. I didn’t really like the idea of doing some course in another career that actually doesn’t excite me in my heart and doesn’t really combine a genuine passion and major interest with a means of income.
After talking with my wife about it for a while we agreed that the idea of finding a motorcycle apprenticeship would probably make me as happy as pig in s£$t and why not. I understand the money would never be as good as possible other carers but I don’t care as I’m not one who has any interest in material possessions as my only source of drive in life, so long as I’m working with or around bikes I don’t think id ever change my mind on that career change choice.
I have a genuine 5 year plan that in the early stages of 2008 I would be looking to start. Ultimately I'd be interested in working my way into a career as an engine builder in the racing industry however right now I'm looking to start at the very bottom where ever I can so long as it’s on bikes.
For the last 4 years I have been working as a Engineering Manager in 5 year old central London high rise building were I’m responsible for managing a team of 4 engineers maintaining and servicing the building’s £25million + ,HVAC plant and building fully automated engineering services.
Thanks to my natural mechanical aptitude and work ethic it hasn’t taken me long to move up the chain of command here however should I be successful in finding the start required to get my new career going I would be genuinely wanting to sweep the floor like any freshly out of school apprentice would be expected to do and make the tea and coffee where needed if the case maybe. I do have a bit of knowledge already but do take constructive criticism like oxygen as I do see it being vital to my personal growth however Id also be more than prepared to do the required tech classes were need be. Id also be prepared to work for an adult apprentices wage should you be interested in taking someone who already has substantial life experience and is genuinely wanting this as a new career.
I am a very hard and proactive worker. I never look at the clock and I’m more than prepared to do the hours required what ever they are if the work load is on and you have commitments to your clients and customers
Lastly, thank you for taking the time to read this letter and I hope that is a case of perfect timing. My wife and I will be back in the NZ where we will be moving to Waitara in Taranaki however I would be prepared to travel up to an hour and 20 minutes each way to work should and opportunity be on the table. After growing up in Auckland most of my life and living in London UK for the last 7 years driving an hour 20 is pretty typical so nothing to worry about.
My wife is due to give birth to my son around the end of December. Ideally I would prefer to get started early Jan 2008 however should you have anything sooner I will be available and back in the country from the 20th of November.
Thank you again for taking the time to read this and I look forward to hearing from you should you have any opportunities or advice as to how to get this new career decision moving.
Kind Regards.
Phil Jones
philthy.jones@hotmail.com