A man who was made redundant from his job as an investment banker has found he is happier in his new career as a schoolteacher.
Speaking to the Guardian, Kevin Watson says he now enjoys his job more than he did when he worked for Bear Stearns.
He lost his position at the bank in 2002 and, after spending six months thinking about what to do next, decided to become a teacher.
Mr Watson, who started out by sitting in on lessons in a school where one of his friends was a teacher, then began training on the job while teaching physics.
"Training is a humbling experience. You have to earn the respect of your pupils and the other staff members, because everyone knows you're inexperienced," he remarked.
However, he was able to learn from his mistakes and develop his teaching skills quickly and took up a position at Watford Boys grammar school in 2005, before becoming head of year two years later.
"Although I approached the role with a degree of trepidation, I took to it like a duck to water," he said.
Mr Watson explained that although the pay is lower than it was in his old job, he now has more time to spend with his family at evening and weekends, while helping the schoolchildren with any problems they might have is also "hugely rewarding".
Another man who has enjoyed success after being made redundant is Tony Glover of Derby.
The 59-year-old, who lost his job in the gas industry last year, started his own business after getting help from Skills for Jobs.
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