Retraining at 38?

[eybic]

One of the big regrets I have is that I never got a trade and when I was talking to my Wife the other night saying I'd love for my boy (2 at the moment) to have a trade he can fall back on when he's old enough, we discussed my regret.

I said that I thought the cleanest trade was a sparky, she asked why I didn't do it as I've still got at least 20 years of working left.

How "easy" is it to retrain in your late 30's and does anyone have any pointers?

Thank you

[Doofus]

I think the biggest obstacle faced by people in your situation is the need to pay for a 38-year-old's lifestyle on a 19-year-old's wage.

If you can resolve that, the rest is pretty straightforward.

[BoRED S2upid]

Go to your local college and ask. For example C&G l3 award in electrical installations is 6 days part time. Obviously you may need level 1 and 2 first. Good time of your to ask as well they are all having open evenings this time of year.

[eybic]

Thanks for your comment.

Luckily (or not) I'm not on a massive wage, let's say it's about average. If I was to become a sparky, not sure I'd be able to be an apprentice, it would perhaps be a case of going self employed and advertising.

I have had a quick look around the net and it seems that the industry doesn't really like old'uns joining and people have found it easier/ better going self employed straight away.

[Justayellowbadge]

Changed tack comprehensively a few years ago at just over 40. Haven't looked back.

[Fastchas]

I looked at being a sparky at the age of 38ish. It was 2 years, 2 nights a week at college. That was fine but when I enrolled for the third year I got left behind by the folks who were working on the job as apprentices in the daytime, or as sparkys helpers /right hand men.
It's very hard if you're not in the trade to start with.

[eybic]

There seems to be a couple of options with the training, domestic is what I'm leaning towards.

Domestic training seems to be a lot quicker/ easier than the others and allegedly that's where the better money is.

[caterhamboy]

I retrained as a spark 10 yrs a go, did a fast track course that was 6 wks long and realized there was no way i knew enough to go out there and become self employed.
Lucky enough i got in with small electrical firm who i worked for while i did proper training over 3 yrs at local college.

Glad i did the college route in the end as fast track course missed so much vital stuff you will need to know, and experience is just as important.

Regards to it being a cleaner trade is not true, coring downlights out all day, chisling cable runs out, covered in loft insulation whilst working in cramped conditions in summer heat all day is no fun at all.

It's a very hard trade on your knees and body.

Having said all of the negatives, it can be a very interesting and well paid as long as you avoid domestic and are capable of doing commercial, industrial work.

[eybic]

Thanks for the responses guys

Having looked into it a bit further most of the courses require you to be in a job doing it already which isn't really feasible, back to the drawing board

[Flooble]

A lucky escape perhaps - mate did exactly what you are planning. Spent a year or two, passed his exams (had to work quite hard - brain cells not what they used to be, harder to retain information from a quick read) but then couldn't get work. As others have said, the college training side is only half the story.

Last I heard he'd gone back to his original career.

[caterhamboy]

Flooble said:

A lucky escape perhaps - mate did exactly what you are planning. Spent a year or two, passed his exams (had to work quite hard - brain cells not what they used to be, harder to retain information from a quick read) but then couldn't get work. As others have said, the college training side is only half the story.

Last I heard he'd gone back to his original career.

When i was training, there was only 2 of us over 25 yrs old out of 10 that have gone on to do anything in the industry.

Most couldn't get work or experience and went back to there old career, you can do it but there's no easy way.

Edited by caterhamboy on Friday 27th January 14:25