A Bradford man has a brighter future in the growing world of information technology (IT) after swapping catalogues for computers.

Simon Cullearn, 29, of Wibsey, was facing redundancy after working for nine years in the customer services department for a local mail order company.

He decided to retrain but because of his shifts thought it would be difficult to get a course.

He read about West Midlands firm Computeach International which offered distance learning and sessions which allow students to study at their own pace.

Mr Cullearn, who is married with a baby on the way, said: "I felt it was time to move on and get off shift work. I worked irregular shifts so could not always go to classes at college, night school or university.

"Computeach's flexible learning system appealed. I was able to study in my own time, at my leisure and around my shifts."

The training organisation also helped Mr Cullearn get a job through its IT recruitment agency Software Professionals.

Now he has an executive position with Halifax-based software house CSCra and even landed a promotion before qualifying as a computer analyst/programmer.

He now compiles and installs millennium-friendly software for insurance companies.

Computeach managing director Paul Harrison said: "Simon is just another example of how we have helped hundreds of people to leave unsatisfactory jobs and launch rewarding new careers in Information Technology."

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