PH careers advice sought....
Discussion
Can any PH'ers offer any wise words on my situation?
I've been in the civil engineering industry for 20 years almost, from leaving school, through college on day release and lots of working experience. I'm now 38. My field is river and coastal engineering and flood defence and at present I am a project manager. I have an HNC, but no degree and am currently not ICE qualified, although IEng should be a doddle if I bit the bullet and did it.
I've been thinking about a change in career direction for some time, as I am utterly bored. I need to do something more practical and 'hands on', maybe with some outdoor time. This has been on my mind for at least 18 months, but I've just not conjured up a suitable plan. I guess I've been stuck in a 'comfortable rut'.
Well it looks like other forces are coming to bear, as we have been given notice at work that we are 'at risk' of redundancy and the team will be reduced by 50%.
Family have told me this might be a blessing in disguise and force me into taking action and making that change. The trouble is, I just don't know where to start and don't want to make a wrong move! I need at least £20k and am willing to re-train, either intensively or 'on-the-job'. I wish to stay where I am geographically (East Devon) if possible. Mortgage, car, wife, no kids, etc.
Has anyone got any bright ideas, where I might look for inspiration, what sort of (re-)training schemes might be on offer (subsidised or otherwise) or any other advice?
This probably all sounds a bit vague, but the news re my current job is very new and I'm struggling to get my thoughts together on this.
I've been in the civil engineering industry for 20 years almost, from leaving school, through college on day release and lots of working experience. I'm now 38. My field is river and coastal engineering and flood defence and at present I am a project manager. I have an HNC, but no degree and am currently not ICE qualified, although IEng should be a doddle if I bit the bullet and did it.
I've been thinking about a change in career direction for some time, as I am utterly bored. I need to do something more practical and 'hands on', maybe with some outdoor time. This has been on my mind for at least 18 months, but I've just not conjured up a suitable plan. I guess I've been stuck in a 'comfortable rut'.
Well it looks like other forces are coming to bear, as we have been given notice at work that we are 'at risk' of redundancy and the team will be reduced by 50%.
Family have told me this might be a blessing in disguise and force me into taking action and making that change. The trouble is, I just don't know where to start and don't want to make a wrong move! I need at least £20k and am willing to re-train, either intensively or 'on-the-job'. I wish to stay where I am geographically (East Devon) if possible. Mortgage, car, wife, no kids, etc.
Has anyone got any bright ideas, where I might look for inspiration, what sort of (re-)training schemes might be on offer (subsidised or otherwise) or any other advice?
This probably all sounds a bit vague, but the news re my current job is very new and I'm struggling to get my thoughts together on this.
firstly, ring your local ICE rep and ask for the lowdown on chartered status. whilst a degree is required these days, i know with the IMechE there are grandad rules for those without one. if you can get CEng then there are more doors available to you.
i'd suggest taking time to think about what you want to be doing on a day to day basis and what general field you want to work in. don't tie it down to a specific location, field or group of companies as you will likely only find frustration that way. be realistic with yourself, is your geographic limitation realistic? if not, either move or readjust your goals.
a desire to learn/retrain is one thing, but also think about taking a step down in seniority and learn on the job rather than taking time/money to get to where you want to be.
research companies and roles. is what you want to be doing fairly common or is it one where roles are few and far between? if it's the latter, you really need to have to be flexible when one comes knocking.
i've been generic here but its imo the thought process is key. i took VR 13mths ago from a job i hated, took 6mths looking and thinking and have only seen 2 roles become available that i've thought 'god i must have that job'. first time unlucky, just bagged the second.
its important to be focussed and flexible, though i imagine family is an issue in your case.
i'd suggest taking time to think about what you want to be doing on a day to day basis and what general field you want to work in. don't tie it down to a specific location, field or group of companies as you will likely only find frustration that way. be realistic with yourself, is your geographic limitation realistic? if not, either move or readjust your goals.
a desire to learn/retrain is one thing, but also think about taking a step down in seniority and learn on the job rather than taking time/money to get to where you want to be.
research companies and roles. is what you want to be doing fairly common or is it one where roles are few and far between? if it's the latter, you really need to have to be flexible when one comes knocking.
i've been generic here but its imo the thought process is key. i took VR 13mths ago from a job i hated, took 6mths looking and thinking and have only seen 2 roles become available that i've thought 'god i must have that job'. first time unlucky, just bagged the second.
its important to be focussed and flexible, though i imagine family is an issue in your case.
Teach. Simples!
Engineering teachers are in great demand. See TDA website
http://www.tda.gov.uk/get-into-teaching.aspx
and either do on the job or sign up for a PGCE and then teach the kids everything you know; nothing more satisfying! Good luck!
Engineering teachers are in great demand. See TDA website
http://www.tda.gov.uk/get-into-teaching.aspx
and either do on the job or sign up for a PGCE and then teach the kids everything you know; nothing more satisfying! Good luck!
Thanks guys. Focussed and flexible..... well presently I am struggling with that, as the news is still fresh (only heard Tuesday) and I'm trying my best to get my mind around things. Yesterday in the office was awful, the mood was so depressing.
I guess I'm torn between thinking that hopefully I can retain my a job in the new, greatly reduced structure, or that this is the push I need to get out of the job that I don't enjoy and find something that I do.
I guess I'm torn between thinking that hopefully I can retain my a job in the new, greatly reduced structure, or that this is the push I need to get out of the job that I don't enjoy and find something that I do.
redundancy = best thing to have happened to me.
2 were made redundant in the team at the firm i'm contracting for. both feel it is more positive than negative and although they are appealing [v. botched process] they no longer see a career here.
it gives perspective certainly and time/space to think hard. as long as there's enough in the payout to tide you over and your pension arrangments aren't adversely affected then it can be a good thing. obviously this doesn't apply if you love your company & job, but it doesn't sound like you do.
2 were made redundant in the team at the firm i'm contracting for. both feel it is more positive than negative and although they are appealing [v. botched process] they no longer see a career here.
it gives perspective certainly and time/space to think hard. as long as there's enough in the payout to tide you over and your pension arrangments aren't adversely affected then it can be a good thing. obviously this doesn't apply if you love your company & job, but it doesn't sound like you do.
Ok, anyone got any ideas to throw into the thinking pot.... I need some inspiration.....
Unrelated to current career
Min £18-20k starting salary
Not just sat behind a desk (outdoors ok, a bit of travelling ok)
Regular daytime working hours
Something I can use my 'practical' abilities for making/mending/dismantling/etc
Retains my current home base (in Devon)
Unrelated to current career
Min £18-20k starting salary
Not just sat behind a desk (outdoors ok, a bit of travelling ok)
Regular daytime working hours
Something I can use my 'practical' abilities for making/mending/dismantling/etc
Retains my current home base (in Devon)
rog007 said:
Teach. Simples!
Engineering teachers are in great demand. See TDA website
http://www.tda.gov.uk/get-into-teaching.aspx
and either do on the job or sign up for a PGCE and then teach the kids everything you know; nothing more satisfying! Good luck!
Maths & science PGCE courses are being sponsored at the moment, i think for maths you end up with a PGCE cert and about 6k for your troubles.... Engineering teachers are in great demand. See TDA website
http://www.tda.gov.uk/get-into-teaching.aspx
and either do on the job or sign up for a PGCE and then teach the kids everything you know; nothing more satisfying! Good luck!
Grerat if you can take the hit (time out of work). Perhaps Agency Engineering around college time or something? You would surely get a tidy 25-35 an hour for senior engineering/project managing?
I too am in Civils, but just starting out really, and already understand where you are coming from!!!
good luck!
MATTP77 said:
Maths & science PGCE courses are being sponsored at the moment, i think for maths you end up with a PGCE cert and about 6k for your troubles....
Grerat if you can take the hit (time out of work). Perhaps Agency Engineering around college time or something? You would surely get a tidy 25-35 an hour for senior engineering/project managing?
I too am in Civils, but just starting out really, and already understand where you are coming from!!!
good luck!
May be stuck with the PGCE or GTP route, as the OP has no degree. I'm not sure if any local Initial Teacher Training organisations might be willing to give you an interview because of your industry experience.Grerat if you can take the hit (time out of work). Perhaps Agency Engineering around college time or something? You would surely get a tidy 25-35 an hour for senior engineering/project managing?
I too am in Civils, but just starting out really, and already understand where you are coming from!!!
good luck!
If so, the GTP might be the way to go. You train on the job full time, on a salary of about £15k. It's a bit more manageable for the year than the £6k a PGCE grants you.
Hi Pete, I don't really have any particular ideas for you, I'm wanting to get involved in car mechanics, instead of being stuck in the office, but thought I'd say hi as I'm in Exmouth, and always nice to see another PH member in the neighbourhood.
It would seem from friends, and other comments on the forums, that if your bright, but a bit lazy and don't want to give up what you've already got, redundancy can be the best thing that happened to push you to do something different/setup your own business/etc.
I wouldn't wish it upon anyone, but I know several people that a year down the line have been very happy it happened.
Well if you ever fancy a cruise along the Exmouth sea-front (as is tradition for local folk!) let me know and I'll come say hi
- (preferably in nicer weather though!)
Tom
It would seem from friends, and other comments on the forums, that if your bright, but a bit lazy and don't want to give up what you've already got, redundancy can be the best thing that happened to push you to do something different/setup your own business/etc.
I wouldn't wish it upon anyone, but I know several people that a year down the line have been very happy it happened.
Well if you ever fancy a cruise along the Exmouth sea-front (as is tradition for local folk!) let me know and I'll come say hi
- (preferably in nicer weather though!)Tom
Hi Tom, thanks for the thoughts.
Have you progressed your desire to get into mechanics at all? I have been doing lots of thinking over the last couple of weeks about what I could or would like to get into. I do feel a complete change in direction is needed and like you, mechanics is one option. I also would need some formal training and experience in a workshop. I'm ok at weilding a spanner on the driveway, carrying out some maintenance and servicing jobs on my own cars - also done a bit of engine work in the past.
I sometimes get into Exmouth, so will keep an eye out for your car/s. I'm pottering about in a grey Leon Cupra now (with PH smiley on the back).
Have you progressed your desire to get into mechanics at all? I have been doing lots of thinking over the last couple of weeks about what I could or would like to get into. I do feel a complete change in direction is needed and like you, mechanics is one option. I also would need some formal training and experience in a workshop. I'm ok at weilding a spanner on the driveway, carrying out some maintenance and servicing jobs on my own cars - also done a bit of engine work in the past.
I sometimes get into Exmouth, so will keep an eye out for your car/s. I'm pottering about in a grey Leon Cupra now (with PH smiley on the back).
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