He aims high - N-level holder now makes $4,500 a month as aircraft maintenance technician in UK
By Zubaidah Nazeer
May 23, 2008
HE finished school with only 3 N-level passes.
Picture: Courtesy of FIRDAUS ADRIS
But over the last few years, Mr Firdaus Adris has seen his career soar.
The 27-year-old now draws £1,700 ($4,500) a month as an aircraft maintenance technician with a company based in Surrey, near London.
Things were different some 10 years back. He told The New Paper in an e-mail from the UK: 'I was only thinking of making money. I did not think about a career but I realised that was a mistake.
'I discovered that after completing my national service in 2000, finding a job was hard... especially with only an N-level certificate.'
His first job was as a Changi Airport policeman, earning $1,000 a month.
But while patrolling the terminals on duty, he realised that planes fascinated him and he wanted a job where he could work on them.
The turning point came in 2003.
Although he had no experience in aircraft maintenance, he submitted an application for a trainee technician post.
Said Mr Firdaus: 'During the interview, I really showed my interest in aviation.
'I also said I was a fast learner and would able to learn things on the job to make up for my lack of experience.'
NEW CAREER PATH
He landed the job. The starting pay was lower - only $750 a month - but it got him onto a new career path.
Last October, he set his sights further and applied for an aircraft maintenance technician post in the UK. After three rounds of interviews, he was accepted.
Mr Firdaus recalled: 'The challenge I faced was that I had to compete with other Filipino candidates who had more aircraft maintenance experience.
'The majority of them were graduates with degrees from a reputable aviation college.'
Mr Firdaus admitted he didn't think he had a chance, but when he was called back for more interviews, he felt more confident.
Even the prospect of having to be separated from his family was not a deterrent.
Mr Firdaus used to live on his own in a Jurong flat, which he co-owns with his mother. She and his stepfather migrated to Australia in 2005.
His sister, 30, works as a civil engineer in Tokyo.
To keep in touch with his family, Mr Firdaus even taught his father, Mr Adris Osnam, 50, how to make Internet calls on Skype.
PROUD PARENTS
Said Mr Adris, who runs a gift shop: 'We (his parents) have been so proud of his achievement and I think it was his determination to better himself that worked.'
'I want him to encourage others to be motivated to go out and get what they want. My son's achievement is not his alone... the community gains a role model and hopefully, more will follow.'
And it looks like Mr Firdaus has already lined up another challenge - getting an American Federal Aviation Administration certificate.
He paid US$2,600 ($3,560) to attend this 10-day course in New York.
But being away from home, he admitted he misses Singapore food and the weather.
Said Mr Firdaus, who has since lost 6kg: 'When I started this career path, a lot of people were trying to tell me not to expect too much, that I was not good enough.
'But I appreciate my time as a trainee technician... If I hadn't got that, I would not be pushing ahead this far in the industry.'
Source:
http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg/news/st...65464,00.html? 
He aims high - N-level holder now makes $4,500 a month as aircraft maintenance technician in UK 
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