Sunday 30 March 2025
A couple of weeks ago, I joined the West Yorkshire Combined Authority as a Data Engineer 🎉.
This was a major change for me, having previously worked at Barnsley Council for just over 6 years. Needless to say, I was pretty nervous on my first day!
Those fears soon melted away however, as everyone I met was extremely friendly, and more than happy to show the new guy the ropes.
Leaving Barnsley wasn’t easy, and I was sad to leave behind the fantastic bunch of people that I have learnt so much from. I knew the decision was right for me though, as the prospect of getting stuck into technical development work was exciting, and something I found myself doing less of in my previous role.
The subject matter also excited me. I’m a West Yorkshire resident, and I’m passionate about improving the county’s transport options beyond private vehicles. Opportunities such as bus franchising and mass transit could deliver massive improvements to the region, and I’m looking forward to using my skills to assist the delivery of these two major schemes.
Lastly, being able to cycle to work and arriving at the office in 20 minutes has dramatically improved my work-life balance. Great timing, considering this is my final year of qualifying for a Railcard—apparently, my ‘young person’ status is about to expire!
Change can be daunting, but it also gives the opportunity for personal growth and a fresh start.
The technical challenges and opportunities to make a real difference to the lives of people in West Yorkshire are exciting, and I’m looking forward to getting stuck in.