Martial arts helped me to change gear in life
AFTER a 30-year career in sales Clive Lawrence decided it was time for a change —and opted for teaching people how to drive. The 56-year- old, from Batley, West Yorkshire, undertook all the necessary retraining and has been an instructor with RED Driving School for the past two years. He is also a Fifth Dan in jujitsu and set up his own club more than 25 years ago, which he continues to run today. Mr Lawrence, who still does personal training in martial arts, said: ‘In my time off I used to run classes with my sport and always enjoyed doing that. ‘I’ve taught four world champions and six international fighters. I used to get very good feedback from my classes and I got a real buzz out of teaching. I thought I must have something here that I can turn into a job. ‘I became unsatisfied with my career in sales and looked around for something different that I’d be good at and would enjoy doing.’ Clive opted for RED because he was impressed with the back-up promised by the company. He says: ‘To be honest, I’m really loving my new job. I get the same sort of feedback now from people passing their tests as I did from when I was instructing in jujitsu. ‘I was a bit worried at first, but I get the support of RED, and a I’m making a decent living, it’s nowhere near as stressful as my job was before.’ Clive says he would advise people simply to ‘go for it’, if they’re considering retraining to become driving instructors. He adds: ‘Look into it properly and make sure it’s going to suit you. It’s not going to be easy to start with as you have to build up a business. But if it’s something you can do, RED will back you. You have the professional support of a proper company and you’re not on your own. I’d certainly recommend it. I’m passionate about providing all my students with the skills they need to achieve their goals.’ Steven Walsh, 45, from Motherwell in Scotland, decided to quit his job as a pub manager in 2012 and retrained with RED Driving School. He says: ‘Not only do I get to choose what days and hours I work, but the workflow is constant. There is always demand for driving instructors, and the rewards are financially good, too.’