25 with no career prospects, feel like a waster

[CubanPete]

There are plenty of mature apprenticeships out there. This isn't the best time of year to apply, as they will be full with the year academic year starting in September.

Apply to a company for any role that has a decent apprenticeship scheme. Work hard, and in 6 months ask to join next years scheme.

You really need to stop looking for excuses as to why you are not doing things and be realistic, you are not going to get an above average paying job with limited skills and experience.

[garylythgoe]

You've dissed 'Video Games' and only referred to it as creating animations.

I work in 'Video Games', and I have nothing to do with developing the games directly, but I think I have a brilliant role and I enjoy what I do. The opportunities are great, the office is amazing, the rewards are incredible and the sense of group achievement is epic. I see our games advertised on TV, played by friends, talked about in the street, winning awards etc. It's superb.

You're very ... VERY ... opinionated on jobs/careers that you have no experience in.

[krarkol]

djc206 said:

Then I'll keep my idea to myself.

Do tell, I'm curious about this myself...

[djc206]

krarkol said:

Do tell, I'm curious about this myself...

Air Traffic Control. Recruiting at the moment, no real qualifications required other than a few GCSE's. Good pay, decent amount of time off. If you go down the aerodrome rather than area route (aerodrome generally pays less) the success rate is high and you get to work in an office with a view.

Ideal for someone young with no kids, not so great sacrificing a decent job to start the training as there's a very real chance especially in area that you don't make it.

[krarkol]

djc206 said:

Air Traffic Control. Recruiting at the moment, no real qualifications required other than a few GCSE's. Good pay, decent amount of time off. If you go down the aerodrome rather than area route (aerodrome generally pays less) the success rate is high and you get to work in an office with a view.

Ideal for someone young with no kids, not so great sacrificing a decent job to start the training as there's a very real chance especially in area that you don't make it.

PM'd

[djc206]

krarkol said:

PM'd

Replied

[EazyDuz]

djc206 said:

Air Traffic Control. Recruiting at the moment, no real qualifications required other than a few GCSE's. Good pay, decent amount of time off. If you go down the aerodrome rather than area route (aerodrome generally pays less) the success rate is high and you get to work in an office with a view.

Ideal for someone young with no kids, not so great sacrificing a decent job to start the training as there's a very real chance especially in area that you don't make it.

I actually looked into that, but the requirements state that with correction, the most they will accept is something like plus or minus 2 dioptres in vision.
I'm over -15 seriously (genetics, runs in family). And despite being able to see quite a bit past the driving line with corrective glasses/lenses, i still cant do that job for that reason.
This is why optometry does interest me, as i could help people who have the same issues as me (albeit at a much lesser extent generally).
I did also get an invite today to BT's academy apprenticeship as a vehicle technician.
I dont know why, because i had an email 3 weeks ago stating the application was unsuccessful...

[Trabi601]

limpsfield said:

I don't have a degree - I am 47 and earnt CONSIDERABLY more than okgo did in his 20s, so I was well successful, obvs. I think it is a bit harder these days to get started if you don't have a degree, as more people do. But a bit harder, not impossible.

[RWD cossie wil]

Sparkzz said:

If you have a mild mental health concern, which may or may not be attributed to your search for work. I would advise against joining any of the forces, you'll come out with a much worse mental health problem.

Does joining the Army, Navy, RAF really fit with your life?
It looks like a lot of time running around doing menial tasks for people who didn't do very well at school, to me at least. You'll leave the army when your middle aged, then struggle to get a decent job afterwards.

Become educated or get an apprenticeship if possible. The army is for people who don't mind getting shot at, lunatics, nationalists and sadly, people who need to make a living.

You don't need a passion for anything really, if your not inclined to join the forces, I really wouldn't be considering it.

Pass me my largest tarring brush!!

That's a pretty shocking/ narrow view you have of the forces there. Granted (with all due respect to the guys that do it) certain roles like infantry, weapons operators etc don't have a direct path back to civilian jobs, but join as an engineering trade & you will get probably the best training going.

I joined the RAF at 18, did pretty well at GCSEs, never really got enthusiastic about further education, as I'm not an academic type learner. Instead I got years of top quality training as an aircraft engineer, I went to some amazing places (Rio, Canada, Ascension Island, USA, & plenty more), went to some utter dumps (Iraq, Afghanistan, Scotland etc), made some great mates, generally had a good time, obviously had some crap times as well (show me a job without them?)..

Fast forward 12 years, I left the RAF at 30, completed all of the technical exams required to hold a civilian engineering licence for mechanical, electrical & avionic systems & got a job working for a cargo airline.

A few years later, I joined a company that contract to the RAF supplying brand new Airbus A330 refilling/ transport aircraft, I get to fly all over the world as an engineer, I'm responsible for certifying the aircraft as safe to fly, carrying out any maintenance or repairs that are required etc.. Putting 280+ people up in the sky is a pretty big responsibility when the decisions fall on your shoulders. It pays (very) well, and I can't see me moving for a long time.

Again, this isn't about trumpet blowing, but join the correct branch/trade of the forces & take advantage of the huge amounts of training & sports available & you are set for life. I can't imagine going to the same dreary, dull office every day for 20 years, or standing behind a counter being nice to bell ends who think that they can treat retail staff like dirt for 30 years!

I'm 36 in a few weeks, there are people I went to school with who have never worked outside a ten mile radius of where they went to school!

[limpsfield]

Trabi601 said:

Yes, that was the joke.

[anonymous-user]

RWD cossie wil said:

Pass me my largest tarring brush!!

That's a pretty shocking/ narrow view you have of the forces there. Granted (with all due respect to the guys that do it) certain roles like infantry, weapons operators etc don't have a direct path back to civilian jobs, but join as an engineering trade & you will get probably the best training going.

I joined the RAF at 18, did pretty well at GCSEs, never really got enthusiastic about further education, as I'm not an academic type learner. Instead I got years of top quality training as an aircraft engineer, I went to some amazing places (Rio, Canada, Ascension Island, USA, & plenty more), went to some utter dumps (Iraq, Afghanistan, Scotland etc), made some great mates, generally had a good time, obviously had some crap times as well (show me a job without them?)..

Fast forward 12 years, I left the RAF at 30, completed all of the technical exams required to hold a civilian engineering licence for mechanical, electrical & avionic systems & got a job working for a cargo airline.

A few years later, I joined a company that contract to the RAF supplying brand new Airbus A330 refilling/ transport aircraft, I get to fly all over the world as an engineer, I'm responsible for certifying the aircraft as safe to fly, carrying out any maintenance or repairs that are required etc.. Putting 280+ people up in the sky is a pretty big responsibility when the decisions fall on your shoulders. It pays (very) well, and I can't see me moving for a long time.

Again, this isn't about trumpet blowing, but join the correct branch/trade of the forces & take advantage of the huge amounts of training & sports available & you are set for life. I can't imagine going to the same dreary, dull office every day for 20 years, or standing behind a counter being nice to bell ends who think that they can treat retail staff like dirt for 30 years!

I'm 36 in a few weeks, there are people I went to school with who have never worked outside a ten mile radius of where they went to school!

I've been in the Army 16 years and most of my peer group have at least and HNC in some sort of engineering. Many have a degree in engineering or other areas.

I did smile when I read his post you've responded to - perhaps he's had a bad experience with a "thicko" squaddy (there are plenty).

I think this is the first time I've ever displayed support for a Crab!!

[V8mate]

EazyDuz said:

I actually looked into that, but the requirements state that with correction, the most they will accept is something like plus or minus 2 dioptres in vision.
I'm over -15 seriously (genetics, runs in family). And despite being able to see quite a bit past the driving line with corrective glasses/lenses, i still cant do that job for that reason.
This is why optometry does interest me, as i could help people who have the same issues as me (albeit at a much lesser extent generally).

You keep mentioning optometry. In what way do you feel that

EazyDuz said:

CCD at A level (ICT, English Lang and Business Studies)

will get you anywhere near a course which requires

Manchester Uni said:

Grades AAB. 2 A-Levels in Biology, Maths, Physics or Chemistry with grades AA (normally to be taken in one sitting) and pass in the practical assessments.

[Joey Ramone]

Ouch

[johnwilliams77]

RWD cossie wil said:

Pass me my largest tarring brush!!

That's a pretty shocking/ narrow view you have of the forces there. Granted (with all due respect to the guys that do it) certain roles like infantry, weapons operators etc don't have a direct path back to civilian jobs, but join as an engineering trade & you will get probably the best training going.

I joined the RAF at 18, did pretty well at GCSEs, never really got enthusiastic about further education, as I'm not an academic type learner. Instead I got years of top quality training as an aircraft engineer, I went to some amazing places (Rio, Canada, Ascension Island, USA, & plenty more), went to some utter dumps (Iraq, Afghanistan, Scotland etc), made some great mates, generally had a good time, obviously had some crap times as well (show me a job without them?)..

Fast forward 12 years, I left the RAF at 30, completed all of the technical exams required to hold a civilian engineering licence for mechanical, electrical & avionic systems & got a job working for a cargo airline.

A few years later, I joined a company that contract to the RAF supplying brand new Airbus A330 refilling/ transport aircraft, I get to fly all over the world as an engineer, I'm responsible for certifying the aircraft as safe to fly, carrying out any maintenance or repairs that are required etc.. Putting 280+ people up in the sky is a pretty big responsibility when the decisions fall on your shoulders. It pays (very) well, and I can't see me moving for a long time.

Again, this isn't about trumpet blowing, but join the correct branch/trade of the forces & take advantage of the huge amounts of training & sports available & you are set for life. I can't imagine going to the same dreary, dull office every day for 20 years, or standing behind a counter being nice to bell ends who think that they can treat retail staff like dirt for 30 years!

I'm 36 in a few weeks, there are people I went to school with who have never worked outside a ten mile radius of where they went to school!

Can you share how well it pays? Ignore anyone accusing you of willy waving as its a genuine question and they're clearly jealous !

[EazyDuz]

V8mate said:

EazyDuz said:

I actually looked into that, but the requirements state that with correction, the most they will accept is something like plus or minus 2 dioptres in vision.
I'm over -15 seriously (genetics, runs in family). And despite being able to see quite a bit past the driving line with corrective glasses/lenses, i still cant do that job for that reason.
This is why optometry does interest me, as i could help people who have the same issues as me (albeit at a much lesser extent generally).

You keep mentioning optometry. In what way do you feel that

EazyDuz said:

CCD at A level (ICT, English Lang and Business Studies)

will get you anywhere near a course which requires

Manchester Uni said:

Grades AAB. 2 A-Levels in Biology, Maths, Physics or Chemistry with grades AA (normally to be taken in one sitting) and pass in the practical assessments.

Simples:

Access
45 L3 credits of which 30 must be at distinction level including 15 level 3 credits from biology/chemistry/physics/psychology or maths. The remaining 15 credits have to be at merit level. Must have GCSE grade C or above in English and maths or be taking them.

Access to HE courses are designed for people who have never even taken A levels. Its intensive but I can just work minimal hours while studying

[anonymous-user]

johnwilliams77 said:

Can you share how well it pays? Ignore anyone accusing you of willy waving as its a genuine question and they're clearly jealous !

http://www.armedforces.co.uk/armypayscales.php

As a rough guide, as I've already posted, if you join as a Vehicle Mechanic you would typically have an HND and be a Staff Sergeant on the higher pay band earning 40k a year after about 12-13 years service. Normally they would then progress to Warrant Officer Class 1 by the time they reach retirement - 24 years after joining.

Other trades offer far quicker promotion. If you joined as an avionics technician you leave training as a Lance Corporal and a year later are a full Corporal. You then normally attend artificer training 3 - 4 years after that. You could leave artificer training with an HND after 10 - 11 years service earning 40k.

There is also the option after 24 years to get a comission as an officer. You then become a late entry Captain earning roughly 50k and can serve until youre 55 or the completion of 37 years. You are likely to promote to Major or Lt Col during this period.

You don't pay into a pension scheme either, but it is a very generous award. After 24 years I will receive a tax free lump sum of approximately 60k and then 11-12k a year pension. This will almost double when I get to 55 and will then increase each year until I die.

The pension isn't quite so good now as it is based on average earnings rather than final salary, but all the same, it is still the best public sector pension available and you don't make any contribution towards it.

There are plenty of qualifications you can get along the way too. The list is pretty much endless - particularly useful are the management ones. The Army will even pay for you to go to Uni for 3 years after you've left.

Not a bad package really - as long as you can put up with the menial tasks and generally being thick for 24 years

[Vocal Minority]

RWD cossie wil said:

I'm responsible for certifying the aircraft as safe to fly, carrying out any maintenance or repairs that are required etc.. Putting 280+ people up in the sky is a pretty big responsibility when the decisions fall on your shoulders. It pays (very) well, and I can't see me moving for a long time.

With that level of responsibility I should bloody hope it pays well. You've a sturdier constitution than me!

[Gareth1974]

djc206 said:

Air Traffic Control. Recruiting at the moment, no real qualifications required other than a few GCSE's. Good pay, decent amount of time off. If you go down the aerodrome rather than area route (aerodrome generally pays less) the success rate is high and you get to work in an office with a view.

I do the railway equivalent of this - the pay is excellent (probably not quite as good as ATC), but I suspect easier to get in to.

[V8mate]

EazyDuz said:

V8mate said:

EazyDuz said:

I actually looked into that, but the requirements state that with correction, the most they will accept is something like plus or minus 2 dioptres in vision.
I'm over -15 seriously (genetics, runs in family). And despite being able to see quite a bit past the driving line with corrective glasses/lenses, i still cant do that job for that reason.
This is why optometry does interest me, as i could help people who have the same issues as me (albeit at a much lesser extent generally).

You keep mentioning optometry. In what way do you feel that

EazyDuz said:

CCD at A level (ICT, English Lang and Business Studies)

will get you anywhere near a course which requires

Manchester Uni said:

Grades AAB. 2 A-Levels in Biology, Maths, Physics or Chemistry with grades AA (normally to be taken in one sitting) and pass in the practical assessments.

Simples:

Access
45 L3 credits of which 30 must be at distinction level including 15 level 3 credits from biology/chemistry/physics/psychology or maths. The remaining 15 credits have to be at merit level. Must have GCSE grade C or above in English and maths or be taking them.

Access to HE courses are designed for people who have never even taken A levels. Its intensive but I can just work minimal hours while studying

If it's so simple, why were your A level grades in the flakey subjects you chose so poor, and how do you propose to up your game to deliver distinction level results in science subjects you haven't studied in ten years? (assuming you did all the sciences at GCSE and not some 'combined science' course)

I'm all for people following their dreams/aspirations etc., but it's somewhat bizarre that you can't decide between (effectively) going into medicine, or being a mechanic.

[EazyDuz]

V8mate said:

If it's so simple, why were your A level grades in the flakey subjects you chose so poor, and how do you propose to up your game to deliver distinction level results in science subjects you haven't studied in ten years? (assuming you did all the sciences at GCSE and not some 'combined science' course)

I'm all for people following their dreams/aspirations etc., but it's somewhat bizarre that you can't decide between (effectively) going into medicine, or being a mechanic.

I just didnt try at college, mixed with the wrong crowd, was easily influenced.
The Access to HE course as i said is designed for people who dont have A levels, and you dont even need GCSE's to do it. Its not as if they design the course for people who got AAA at A level, its a chance for people to get into uni.
The work will ramp up but its not anywhere near impossible, especially considering i'll have loads of time to study for it.
I can always bail on the course if something better comes along (i.e. BG apprenticeship), but its a good failsafe in the mean time and something to aim for.
I have also just been accepted for another interview for an IT role too, things are looking up