A BOLD Ruislip father has given up his £50k job during the recession to pursue a career that makes him happier.

Mark White, 50, of Royal Crescent, has left his highly-paid job as a telecomms engineer to retrain as an electrician.

Mr White said: “People might think it’s mad to walk out on a £50k-a-year job but it’s about your quality of life. I’m far happier now than I was before.”

He used to get up at 6am before commuting for an hour and a half to a job he said he didn’t like.

A previous redundancy packet left him with a good-sized savings pot and he put it to good use by retraining with New Career Skills.

“I could have spent the money on a flashy Mercedes or something else extravagant, but instead I decided to invest in my own future,” he said.

Mr White is now self-employed and instals solar panels, insisting the flexibility is better for him and his family.

“I look forward to going to work again,” he said.

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