Michael Slabber (26) - Now An Electrician
He's only 26 but in six years Michael Slabber has left his family, moved to a new country, undergone extensive training to join the Army, served in Afghanistan, trained in Kenya, qualified for a new career and set up his own business in London.
From the front line to the home front
The former British Army soldier has found retraining as an electrician and setting up his own business has helped him adjust to civilian life.
Adjusting to the fact that his life will never be the same again was never going to be an easy transition. No longer did Michael need to feel his life was at threat on a daily basis, as he struggled to get back into a normal civilian routine.
"It's nearly been a year since I left the Army and I'm still adjusting in some ways. Moving from a confined military base, where you're used to working and being with people 24 hours a day, seven days a week is hard.
"However it's those guys who become your family whilst you're there, as you all share one thing in common and in those situations you learn how to make the best out of them.
"Leaving that bubble of camaraderie to the civilian world, where you may not even know your neighbours, was a shock to the system and one that I had to adapt to."
Michael joined the Army aged 20, having just moved from South Africa to the UK. He was so keen to join the armed forces that he signed up at the Army careers office just a few hours after touching down in London.
As part of the 2nd Battalion the Parachute Regiment, Michael was part of a dedicated, professional and highly trained unit. Operating in sweltering temperatures across rough and hazardous terrain, Michael's role was to identify enemies in countries such as Afghanistan, spending up to seven months overseas.
"We often faced dangerous situations, but no matter what position you undertake within the Armed Forces you're always in a position of threat - it's something that becomes part of your role.
"Although my time in the Army was long, hard and grueling it was also rewarding knowing that I was helping people and making a difference to the local communities we operated in."
Accomplishing everything that he wanted, Michael knew it was time to leave the Army. He wanted something different and was set on pursuing another huge change in his life - setting up his own business.
"I came across a company called New Career Skills, which retrains mature career changers, and signed up for the electrical course straight away after speaking to one of their lead electrical tutors. His knowledge of the industry and his character is what convinced me to study with them.
"I've always been interested in electrics and it started at a young age when I used to watch my father being the handy man at home.
"I qualified as a Domestic Electrical Installer through New Career Skills in June 2010. It was hard-work trying to juggle my studies whist I was based in Kenya for three months and all over the UK, completing my training for the Army, but I enjoyed the challenge.
"Most evenings I was sat out in the Kenyan bush with all my books, trying to fit in as much study time as I could."
Now Michael has set up his own business, London Electrical Solutions Ltd, with help from New Career Skills and his colleague, Stewart, who also retrained with the company.
"We're currently in the process of getting registered with NICEIC, the electrical contracting body for electrical installation, the certification will be a huge development for the business as it will allow us to undertake and certify any work we do.
"I'm also keen to make the company green and one aspect I want to offer is solar panel installation. I'll be doing some more training with New Career Skills to ensure I've got the right qualifications and hopefully London Electrical Solutions will be one of the few installation business in London to offer Solar P.V.
"Renewable energy has a huge part to play in helping the environment we live in. If we can help reduce the damage that has been done over the past few decades, we will be able to preserve the natural environment for generations to come.
"In the next few years we're aiming to get maintenance contracts with all local estate agents, shops, pubs and restaurants, where we'll help provide all their electrical needs. We also hope to expand the company and employ more staff - potentially with students who have retrained with New Career Skills.
"Although I do miss the Army and the camaraderie of being around the guys, I know I've made the right career change financially and for my future."
To find out more about the industry, the electrician courses, New Career Skills and to get your questions answered, please Request An Information Pack
Back To Case Studies Click Here
"I'm a professional rugby player but sustained a career threatening injury. I realised that I needed a skill. The NCS course fitted perfectly around my life..."
"The NCS package out classed the competitors and enabled me to get out into the industry quickly. I now own a successful electrical business..."
"I had become completely office bound at the age of 49 and decided I wanted to run my own business. I now have my own successful plumbing..."
"At 44 I decided I wanted flexibility and a better work/life balance. Now I am running my own plumbing company and I have exactly that..."
"I wanted flexible hours and becoming an electrician could afford me that luxury. There is a crying need for more skilled women electricians..."
"I'm yet to finish the course, but I have still started up my own business importing, selling and installing solar systems. I think I will have a great future..."