Vocational training in the UK

IT Support

https://careers.peta.co.uk/vacancies/173/it-support-technician-apprentice.html

https://www.findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk/apprenticeship/1000151565

https://www.findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk/apprenticeship/1000165167

Digital Marketing

https://www.findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk/apprenticeship/1000139443

Finance

https://www.getmyfirstjob.co.uk/search/details/229045/2/higher-apprenticeship/accountancy/fareham/tax-apprentice

https://twosaints.current-vacancies.com/Jobs/Advert/3103986?cid=2013

Engineering

https://www.findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk/apprenticeship/1000138338

The rains

The creek rose significantly higher after raining most nights for a week or so. But we have had a few dry days and the mushroom stalls have started popping up at the intersection at traffic lights.

But it has been a funny wet season. Sporadic showers after an early start. Thereafter mostly rumbling thunder, a bit of lightening and then little to show for it.

The termite mushrooms aren’t that exciting either.

Smaller, scappy and the ones I have seen have already opened. Hopefully more to come.

Despite this cars are now beginning to line up. Hopefully with more to come.

 

Coffee

In international terms Thailand is a relative late-comer as a coffee producer.

Although coffee has been gown for a little over a century, the country only started exporting  Robusta beans in 1976.  Growing to become one of the top twenty five coffee producers in the world.  Unique in that it exports very little of the coffee that is grown.

Most of the consumption remains in the country, having developed a booming specialty coffee ecosystem where farmers, roasters, cafes and consumers symbiotically co-exist.  An example of a working coffee ecosystem where coffee is produced sustainably from both economic and environmental perspectives. A rare achievement in the coffee world. But one that is typically and uniquely Thai.

Wood eating ants

Wooden houses are all well and good . But they come with an ant problem. A problem that is a losing battle. Blink and the little blighters are back at it chomping their way through anything and everything

Thai Festival

I haven’t seen much evidence of a Thai community in Chichester  and was expecting to be reminded that I am ten thousand kilometres away.

Thai food in Chichester

But I ate myself to a standstill at the Chichester Thai Festival.

Still no dry curry.

But there was papaya salad, logan juice and the coconut desserts you get wrapped in banana leaf. Mu ping, fried banana and crispy pork.

Thai food West Sussex

Khanom krok, nam isan, sai krok isan, and the Chiangmai sausage.

Thai street food Sussex

Thai community festivals UK

Thai dancing and a young male vocalists who switched easily between between Thai and English who sang exceptionally well.

Thai dancers in the UK

Stalls selling Thai food products including bamboo shoots, durian and sataw. Others displaying clothes and other typically Thai goods.

Carved Thai soap bathroom accessories UK

Thai straw bags in the UK

Traditional Thai clothing in the UK

Traditional Thai massage

Traditional Thai massage Sussex

And plenty to keep the kids occupied whilst Mum and Dad relax with an ice cold Singha beer.

Thai community festivals in the UK

Singha beer in the UK

UK spousal visa

Not one of the easiest thing I have ever done. In fact applying for a spousal visa for the UK  has to be one of the most stressful thing I have ever attempted.

In part due to  the hefty price tag that comes with it.

It is costing us two thousand pounds each for my wife and two boys plus a further two thousand each for the Immigration Health Surcharge.

 

The gaming industry

To get started, you’ll need to decide what type of game industry job you’re interested in. Here are the three most common roles:

  • Game artist – Your job is to create concept art, storyboards, and designs for packaging and marketing materials. You’ll need technical ability to master specialist software packages and tools such as ZBrush, Maya, Photoshop, 3DS Max, Substance Painter and Mudbox.
  • Game designer – A senior role that involves coming up with original ideas for games and overseeing the creative process. This could be across a number of platforms, including mobile, console and VR/AR. Game design requires a mix of technical and creative skills to develop and test your creations, as you may need to work with a range of programming languages and software packages including C#, C++ and Python.
  • Game developer/Game programmer – You’re responsible for taking the ideas of the designers and writing the code required to build a playable game. It’s vital that you’re able to understand and follow instructions to bring the creative vision to life. You’ll typically work in a team headed by a lead programmer. A knowledge of game programming languages and specialisation in a particular platform, such as PC, mobile or consoles, would aid your progression. You could focus on an area of programming such as AI, audio, controls and interface, game physics or 3D engine development. Learn more about how to be an applications developer. If you’re interested in coding games, see IT courses.

Explore gaming apprenticeships

As this industry is notoriously tough to break into, gaming apprenticeships offer a structured entry route, combining classroom-based learning with on-the-job training.

There are game developer apprenticeships for those looking to start out in a development position. Gaming apprenticeships are also available for roles such as game designer, tester, visual effects artist, software development technician and animator.

If you can’t find any opportunities with the major game publishers, specialist recruitment companies such as Aardvark Swift often advertise apprenticeships in video gaming.

You can search for all available gaming apprenticeships at GOV.UK – Find an apprenticeship, while you can read more about other IT apprenticeships.