A SALES director stepping down after 25 years doesn't know the meaning of retirement, but definitely knows the definition of challenge.
Chris Buckland, 55, has worked Artetch Circuits, on the Riverside Industrial Estate, Littlehampton, since 1984, but will start work as a teaching assistant, at Felpham Community College, on Monday.
"I am retiring, but I didn't just want to sit at home and do nothing," he said, "So I decided to go for it and give it a try."
Chris, who has worked with printed circuit boards since 1972, added that he knew it would be a challenge.
Experience V's youthful exuberance."Everyone at the interview was about 25 years younger than me, but I got the job, so maybe experience counts for more than youthful exuberance!
"It's a new challenge. Some of the kids I will be working with will have problems, as I understand. If I can help them, then that's great.
It's something completely different, and I am really looking forward to it."
Olympic achievementDuring his time at Artetch, which supplied circuit boards used in outdoor broadcasting equipment at last year's Beijing Olympics, Chris has seen many changes.
"Improvements in technology have been incredible, from the very simple products the company was manufacturing 25 years ago, to the sophisticated electrical equipment it is now is an amazing journey."
Chris' replacement will be Mark Gibson, who worked at the company as a sales executive 21 years ago, before his career took him to big industry names, such as Via Systems, Hadco and Sanmina, and back again.
He said: "I am delighted to be back at Artetch and will continue to build on its success, and I wish Chris well in his retirement."
Chris went on to say that it was strange not having to sit at a desk everyday.
"I will miss the camaraderie of the people who I worked with, most of them for a very long time. It was such a big part of my life for so long.
"But I won't miss working from eight in the morning until eight at night every day!"
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