He has all your hi-tech solutions

5:53pm Tuesday 3rd June 2008

Like many young boys Andrew Young dreamed of becoming a top footballer.

But he took a reality check and instead entered the telecommunications industry - and says it's a decision he has never regretted. He loves his job so much he says he wouldn't want to do anything else.

"I can't think of a job that is better than this," Andrew says. "I have no regrets at all. I'm glad I got into it and it is a very exciting time."

The 25-year-old, from Bierley, says a friend of his father introduced him to the business. "He ran a telecommunications business and in the school holidays I'd help out."

Andrew was offered a job with the firm when he left school at 15. "I enjoyed it and it was something I really wanted to do. I always remember people saying to me that communications is a future job and there would be a lot of things happening in the future."

He progressed to another firm to expand his technical knowledge and experience before joining his current firm, Tong-based telecommunications company ADSL (Affordable Digital Solutions Ltd) in 2004.

Founded in 2003, ADSL installs telecommunications systems in small to medium-sized businesses throughout the UK.

Andrew joined the company as a trainee as his knowledge from his previous workplaces was largely based on doing data structure networks.

Through training and learning on the job Andrew fast-tracked promotion to become an engineer with his own transport, running his own diary installing systems for ADSL's clients nationwide.

"I probably wouldn't be where I am today if I hadn't done that," he says.

A year later he was promoted to his current post as installation and technical support supervisor. His role is primarily office-based, promoting new products and ensuring installations run smoothly.

"I went out the other week to do an installation but 70 per cent of the time I am in the office, problem-solving and ensuring the installations run smoothly," says Andrew.

His greatest satisfaction, apart from problem-solving, is seeing the company's rapid expansion.

"When I joined there were between ten and 15 people; now there are 100-plus.

"I have enjoyed seeing the departments grow and other people growing. The company has given young people like myself opportunities to become a team leader or supervisor. They always seem to put a career path in front of people and that is one thing I enjoy about this company."

Andrew believes anybody can achieve their career goal, regardless of whether or not they have qualifications, so long as they have the right attitude, along with the willingness and desire to do it.

"If you want to be an engineer you can get out and about in the countryside, you can be your own boss not being cooped up in a factory doing the same thing, and you can always be learning as there are always new products coming out. And you are meeting different people."

For more information about courses in telecommunications and electronic engineering, call the University of Bradford on 0800 0731225.

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