Adam Butterworth – Meet The Instructor
How long have you been a driving instructor for?
I guess you would say I’m the newbie in the Weelz team, as I’ve only been training learners for about 6 weeks.
What were you doing before that?
Before joining Weelz, I was a customer service manager at Ladbrokes. I did that for about 5 years, 3 of which I spent in Blackpool, doing 2 years in Manchester before that. I worked as a croupier in a casino for 4 and a half years before joining Ladbrokes. In the casino, I mostly dealt roulette games, with a bit of blackjack and poker too. I really don’t miss those night shifts and going to bed at 8 o’clock in the morning!
What do you enjoy most about driving instructing?
There are so many things I enjoy about the job. I enjoy seeing someone doing something they had no idea how to do just an hour or so ago, and improving on it everytime they drive. As everyone learns in different ways, I like challenging myself to work out the different ways to unlock things in a pupil’s mind, helping them to understand a skill. I also enjoy the freedom of picking my own days off, and the hours I work. Its great being on the move all day with different people.
Is there anything you dislike about the job?
It would probably be the impatient drivers we encouter on the roads. I should say though, to be fair, it doesn’t happen very often. Everyone is a learner at one point, and everyone can see the big L plate on the roof, so a little bit of patience, and extra time, is always appreciated.
I can live with lessons being cancelled, because I understand that things can crop up at the last minute. What I don’t like though, is when you turn up for a lesson and there is no-one in. That’s frustrating because I don’t have chance to try and fill that gap with someone else, so it’s just wasted time and lost money.
What are your interests/hobbies outside of driving instructing?
I like to spend my spare time relaxing with my fiance and our dog, Ned. As I can, no longer, play football, I have to make do with watching it, or playing FIFA on the playstation. I’m a keen Liverpool fan.
