Here is a summary of my work experience. I hope you find it interesting to see where I have worked and what I have done in my life.

1993: Index The Catalogue Shop (Work Experience)

Stock Room - December - 10 days

Responsibilities:

  • Picked stock for customers

  • Stocked shelves with new items

  • Assisted with deliveries

Skills Developed:

  • Attention to detail

  • Organizational skills

  • Time management skills

  • Physical stamina

  • Teamwork skills

1993: Index The Catalogue Shop

Stockroom Assistant · December 1993 to January 1994 · Bolton

  • Fulfilled customer orders by picking items from the stockroom and sending them to the sales floor.

  • Assisted with the packing of returned Christmas goods.

  • Provided support to other store staff as needed.

I was 15 years old when I started this seasonal job. I learned valuable skills in inventory management, customer service, and teamwork.

1994: Littlewoods Home Shopping Group

General Worker · July 1994 to August 1994 · Bolton

  • Unloaded 40-foot trailers of returned goods, both hardware and clothing

  • Transported goods to different floors in cots and on rails

  • Packed up empty sacks from the newly installed conveyor belt system

  • Fed other conveyor belts with items

  • Loaded more temporary conveyor belts with stock

I was a hard worker and always willing to go the extra mile. I was also a team player and enjoyed working with others.

1994: PWS Dental Labortaory

Dental Assistant · August 1994 to September 1995 · Bolton

I started working as a dental assistant at PWS Dental Laboratory in August 1994, when I was 16 years old. I was promised a day release to college to study dentistry if my GCSE results came in, but when my GCSE results came in in November 1994, I was told that my grades weren't good enough to be sent to college a day a week to become a dental technician. However, they could take me on as a dental assistant. I was paid £1.71 per hour for 40 hours one week and 44 hours the next (an extra Saturday morning).

My main job role was to duplicate plaster models of teeth. Another task, which I wasn’t very good at, was to mount models of teeth on articulators (see image). I really hated this as I couldn’t do it as well as my peers (also fresh out of school). I had a go at waxing up, which was what the technicians did but I wasn’t good at this either. Although not my main task, I cast models of people’s teeth (made the models).

I was moved into the Chrome department in February 1995, which was out of the glare of my manager. I enjoyed it in this department and did different tasks such as casting (different than in the Acrylic department), loading and unloading the furnaces, polishing up chrome and gold dentures, gold-plating dentures, and cleaning chrome off-cuts for its reuse.

My boss Cliff treated me unfairly and made me feel horrible every day. Handing my notice to him was one of the happiest days of my life. I left PWS Dental Laboratory in September 1995.

This turned out to be one of those stepping stones in life that you have to take. It made me work out that what I really needed to do was to go to college and do something that I might actually enjoy. If I hadn't made this mistake and chosen this field of work then I don’t think I would be as successful as I currently am.

P.S. Thank you, Howard.

Whilst here the National Lottery started and I bought my first ever lottery ticket. Read more in my blog post.

Whilst here the National Lottery started and I bought my first ever lottery ticket. Read more in my blog post

1996: Littlewood Home Shopping Group (Work Experience)

Accounts Department - May - 5 days

Responsibilities:

  • Used MS Office products (Excel, Word, and PowerPoint) to compile and distribute returns statistics.

  • Handled printing and faxing using a LaserJet 4L, DeskJet 1200c, and Pitney Bowes 9620.

  • Operated a Ricoh FT 4220 photocopier.

  • Telephoned for statistical data.

Skills Developed:

  • Proficient in MS Office products.

  • Experience with printing, faxing, and photocopying.

  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

1996: Littlewoods Retail

General worker · February 1996 to January 2001 · Bolton

I was based at Croal Mill, working the evening shift. My main role was "outsorts," which involved sorting through returned items that could not be sorted by the clerks. I was also responsible for a variety of other tasks, such as stocking shelves, unloading trucks, and cleaning the store.

I was seconded to Holden Mill during the summer, where I worked on the warehouse floor. This experience gave me valuable insight into the logistics of running a large retail operation.

I learned a great deal during my time at Littlewoods Retail, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have worked there. I am confident that the skills and experience I gained would be beneficial in my future career.

1997: Dawson Technology (Work Experience)

IT Assistant - March - 10 days

Responsibilities:

  • Built and repaired PCs

  • Visited client sites to assist with installations and repairs

  • Created a website for the company

1998: CompuPar Ltd. (Work Experience)

Work Experience - March/April - 10 days

Responsibilities:

  • Used networked Windows 95 PC with MS Office and Internet Connectivity

  • Sent out fax mailers

  • Collated daily reports on business activities

  • Collated and bound course-ware

  • Made refreshments for training delegates

Achievements:

  • Gained experience using networked computers and Microsoft Office

  • Developed strong organisational and time management skills

  • Demonstrated the ability to work independently and as part of a team

  • Successfully completed all assigned tasks on time and to a high standard

1998: Bolton College (Work Experience)

ISU Department - April - 10 days

Responsibilities:

  • Replaced toner cartridges

  • Performed basic system administration tasks

  • Set up user accounts

  • Troubleshoot PC problems

  • Changed passwords

  • Replaced hardware

  • Installed software

Achievements:

  • Gained experience in a variety of IT-related tasks

  • Developed strong problem-solving and troubleshooting skills

  • Demonstrated the ability to work independently and as part of a team

  • Successfully completed all assigned tasks on time and to a high standard

1999: CompuPar Ltd. / Compu-IT Ltd.

Web Designer & Developer · 1999 to 2001

Compu-IT (and formerly CompuPar) was an IT training company that was based in the three stories above Northern Rock. The company also provided website services.

I designed and developed websites for clients, as well as the company's own website. I also hosted websites and emails on a Windows NT Server.

In addition to web development, I was responsible for preparing training rooms for IT courses. This included installing software and operating systems (mainly Windows NT 4.0 Workstation) and bespoke software.

I am a highly motivated and experienced web developer with a strong track record in designing and developing websites for clients. I am also proficient in installing and configuring software and operating systems. I am confident that I would be a valuable asset to your team.

Compu-IT Team

2001: Big W

Cash Office, Trading Standards, Cafe · December 2001 to February 2003

  1. Cash Office: Collected cash from the tills at various points during the day, counted and banked large amounts of cash and vouchers, and dealt with weekly banking tasks on a Saturday night.

  • Trading Standards: Performed price checks to ensure that all stock on the shelves was priced accurately and that customers were paying the correct price.

  • Cafe: Served customers with goods, cooked food that was available on the menu, ensured effective stock rotation to allow for the least shrinkage, and worked in the 'pot wash' to ensure that the crockery, cutlery, and cooking utensils were clean. Started a GNVQ in Food Hygiene but left the post before completion.

  • Big W Wabbit: Dressed as the company mascot, a rabbit, and was led around the store and car park by a helper.

Interesting links:

  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_W_(United_Kingdom)

2002: Cube 3 Media

Web Designer · March 2002 to June 2002 · Bolton

  • Worked with other designers to create and implement websites for a variety of clients, including Bolton Council.

  • Designed and developed websites using a variety of web design and development technologies.

2003: Yates Group PLC.

IT Analyst · February 2003 to September 2005

  • Designed, developed, and maintained the Yates Group corporate intranet site.

  • Provided deskside support at the head office location at Peter Yates House in Bolton.

  • Provided remote support of all bars and remote office locations.

  • Installed and maintained hardware and software for both desktop and server computers.

  • Managed the corporate network backup and off-site backup tapes.

2005: Styles & Wood Limited

Helpdesk, Deskside support · October 2005 to September 2006 · Altrincham

  • Provided first-line support to employees via phone, email, and in person.

  • Resolved 85% of issues within 24 hours.

  • Installed and configured new user accounts in Active Directory, Exchange, and Citrix.

  • Set up user Databank (CMS) accounts.

  • Remotely fixed issues at various office and site locations.

  • Configured laptops with company-specific settings and installed applications.

  • Configured HP and Wyse terminals for use with Citrix on construction sites and at the new Head Office building.

  • Assisted with the setup of new terminals and printers at the brand-new office location and migration of old kit from the old location.

2005: The Official Red Dwarf Fan Club (Voluntary)

Team Member · September 2005 to December 2007 · Hitchin

Responsibilities:

  • Managed the club's online presence by designing, developing, and maintaining the club's website and webmail system.

  • Moderated the club's online forums.

  • Wrote articles for and helped to develop the club's almost quarterly magazine.

  • Helped run two very successful Red Dwarf conventions in 2006 and 2007.

Achievements:

  • Increased the club's website traffic.

  • Redesigned the online forum system that was used by many of the members.

  • Wrote and edited articles for the club's magazine.

  • Helped to organise and run two successful Red Dwarf conventions that attracted over 150 attendees.

Skills:

  • Web development

  • Web design

  • Content management

  • Forum moderation

  • Event planning

  • Writing

  • Editing

  • Communication

  • Teamwork

  • Problem-solving

  • Time management

2006: Halfords

Logistics · September 2006 · Bury

I was responsible for the safe and efficient transportation of stock between Halfords stores in the North West. I worked closely with the logistics team to ensure that stock was delivered on time and in good condition. I also carried out stock checks and inventory management.

I was a highly motivated and reliable employee who always went the extra mile to get the job done. I was also a team player who was always willing to help out my colleagues.

Here are some of my key achievements during my time at Halfords:

  • I was consistently on time with deliveries, with an average of 99% on-time delivery rate.

  • I never had any accidents or incidents during my time at Halfords.

2006: NHS Manchester

IT Service Desk Analyst · October 2006 · Manchester

  • Provided first-line and second-line support to over 5,500 users within an NHS organization.

  • Successfully logged calls within ITIL-accredited service desk software, ensuring SLAs were met.

  • Effectively resolved issues on the first call whenever possible, and escalated calls to external engineers for hardware faults and network faults that could not be resolved remotely.

  • Escalated faults to external organizations where specialist and third-party software was supported.

  • Effectively communicated with end-users and third parties to resolve issues on time.

2013: NHS Greater Manchester Commissioning Support Unit (GMSCU),

2014: NHS North West Commissioning Support Unit (NWCSU),

2016: NHS Greater Manchester Shared Services (GMSS)

  • Provided first-line and second-line support to Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs), the Greater Manchester Commissioning Support Unit (GMCSU), and Acute Hospital Trusts within Greater Manchester.

  • Worked as an IT Engineer driving between GP Surgeries providing on-site support for hardware and software.

  • Installed PC, laptops, and printers.

  • Managed local servers and Active Directory accounts.

  • Provided ad-hoc support when users needed help with any IT issue.

  • Ensured that all calls were recorded within Service Now.

  • Main work centred around Bury and Rochdale but did travel all over Greater Manchester to support other areas when required.

2019: NHS Bolton Foundation Trust

IT Systems & Network Technician · Bolton

I am a highly motivated and experienced IT professional with a proven track record of success in the healthcare industry. I have over 10 years of experience in providing technical support to GP practices, and I am skilled in using SCCM to package software for delivery to over 1500 computers across the GP and GMICB Estate. I am also proficient in providing on-site support to over 50 GP practices, fixing hardware and software issues, and working closely with other teams such as the 3rd line team, networks team, and project team to facilitate a great experience for the end users at the GP Practices and the Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board.

In addition, I keep up with NHS mandatory training and processes, and I provide support to my colleagues when they need help with something.

I am a highly organised and efficient individual with excellent communication and interpersonal skills. I am also a team player with the ability to work independently and take initiative.