PHP split string into uneven parts
explode and implode are faster (according to PHP's man page for preg_split), and more readable IMO.

$la_jobrole = explode(' ', $lo_designer-&gt;role);
$ls_jobPrimary = array_shift($la_jobrole); // Get the first item from the array
$ls_jobSecondary = implode(' ', $la_jobrole); // Glue the remaining pieces back together


Personally I would avoid using either list or preg_replace in this case. They're slower and harder to read, and I would certainly avoid that looping thing.