Discussion
Guys, need a bit of advice here, as I've been unemployed since November and my industry has died a death (Engineering support for Wafer Fab and Field Service) I thought I might have to do a spot of retraining. Any recommendations? C++, belly dancing or something perhaps, I think manufacturing is stuffed in this country as everything is going to the Far East.
What are you *good* at and *enjoy* doing?
There's no point doing something you don't enjoy even if the rewards are good. The ideal job is surely doing something that doesn't *seem* like a job.
Hobbies? Other interests? Is there a niche market? I know a guy who makes a good living painting military scenes - he's a fair artist and he loves the military history, so tailor-made for it.
Mind you, the money they're making at the mo, fcuk the above, and train as a sparky or plasterer. I fancied doing a night class in plastering - no way - you had to sign up to do an NVQ - bloody expensive too.
Plastering ain't as easy as it bloody looks either.
You may possibly be able to get financial help from one of the Tech Councils to retrain as well.
There's no point doing something you don't enjoy even if the rewards are good. The ideal job is surely doing something that doesn't *seem* like a job.
Hobbies? Other interests? Is there a niche market? I know a guy who makes a good living painting military scenes - he's a fair artist and he loves the military history, so tailor-made for it.
Mind you, the money they're making at the mo, fcuk the above, and train as a sparky or plasterer. I fancied doing a night class in plastering - no way - you had to sign up to do an NVQ - bloody expensive too.
Plastering ain't as easy as it bloody looks either.
You may possibly be able to get financial help from one of the Tech Councils to retrain as well.
I feel there could be a need for fighter pilots soon 
Have a few friends in the building trade and Plumbing/heating and ventilation seems to be the one at the mo.
One of mates trys to price himself out of the market as he has so much on and people still want him to do the work, hes a plumber.
Also painting and decorating seems to be a good un to to, little overheads.
Of course these are all manuel type jobs but the market is starved of good'uns at the moment.
All the best
BB
Have a few friends in the building trade and Plumbing/heating and ventilation seems to be the one at the mo.
One of mates trys to price himself out of the market as he has so much on and people still want him to do the work, hes a plumber.
Also painting and decorating seems to be a good un to to, little overheads.
Of course these are all manuel type jobs but the market is starved of good'uns at the moment.
All the best
BB
Oy! There's nowt wrong with manual jobs - leaves your brain free to enjoy stuff in your spare time. Well that's my bullshit and I'm sticking to it. 
I'd go with the plumbing thing if I were you: if I can do it anyone can. For some reason it's seen as a black art. There'a also electrics, which again is seen as a black art and isn't (but can end up even messier than plumbing!).
Next up is HVAC, but that's a bit more specialised, nasty gases etc. I've done my own air con system but still back off and let the pros fanny around with the pressurised bits!
Electronics is OK if you can get into a niche: I used to do repairs to alarm systems and that got me where I am now (industrial X-ray etc.- alas we're a shrinking industry too!). I should've persisted at the radio thing: I might have got into telecomms properly and look where that is now! Doh...
Failing that, if you just want a bit of quick pocket money, roll into your local undertakers and ask in a sombre voice if they need any driver/ bearers. I did that too, for a couple of years. Taxi driving used to be a standby but for various obvious reasons (most of them don't speak English and share a driving license ;-) that's a waste of time now.
Hope your situation doesn't persist for much longer: I've been u/e for long periods and it's no bloody fun.
Ian
I'd go with the plumbing thing if I were you: if I can do it anyone can. For some reason it's seen as a black art. There'a also electrics, which again is seen as a black art and isn't (but can end up even messier than plumbing!).
Next up is HVAC, but that's a bit more specialised, nasty gases etc. I've done my own air con system but still back off and let the pros fanny around with the pressurised bits!
Electronics is OK if you can get into a niche: I used to do repairs to alarm systems and that got me where I am now (industrial X-ray etc.- alas we're a shrinking industry too!). I should've persisted at the radio thing: I might have got into telecomms properly and look where that is now! Doh...
Failing that, if you just want a bit of quick pocket money, roll into your local undertakers and ask in a sombre voice if they need any driver/ bearers. I did that too, for a couple of years. Taxi driving used to be a standby but for various obvious reasons (most of them don't speak English and share a driving license ;-) that's a waste of time now.
Hope your situation doesn't persist for much longer: I've been u/e for long periods and it's no bloody fun.
Ian
I have had a slow down but work is steady. I design a lot of CCTV systems in casinos and large buildings. Only thing is once you work in CCTV for casino we are forbidden to gamble in those establishments.
Apache why not look for work over here. We welcome people such as yourself.
Lower housing and living costs. No Gatso, lower taxes, no congestion charge, triple and quad bay attached garages on newer homes. I have a 10 y/o home so I only have a double attached garage. But a friend who works at IBM has a 8 car heated garage and he's not that rich, just a regular working guy.
Only thing is you might not be able to bring your car here and no TVR's sold here. But we many of your sports cars over here.
We have a lot of the higher tech manufacturing jobs here. The mass produced stuff goes out of the country but thats fine with me. Low paying stuff can go to the 3rd world for all I care.
Calvin
Apache why not look for work over here. We welcome people such as yourself.
Lower housing and living costs. No Gatso, lower taxes, no congestion charge, triple and quad bay attached garages on newer homes. I have a 10 y/o home so I only have a double attached garage. But a friend who works at IBM has a 8 car heated garage and he's not that rich, just a regular working guy.
Only thing is you might not be able to bring your car here and no TVR's sold here. But we many of your sports cars over here.
We have a lot of the higher tech manufacturing jobs here. The mass produced stuff goes out of the country but thats fine with me. Low paying stuff can go to the 3rd world for all I care.
Calvin
Thanks for the tips chaps, am thinking of going down the house sparky route.
Calvin, you are preaching to the converted, I wouldn't hesitate but my kids are at the threshold of independance and not sure if they would join us yet. I'm still suffering from Denny's breakfast withdrawal symptoms.
Calvin, you are preaching to the converted, I wouldn't hesitate but my kids are at the threshold of independance and not sure if they would join us yet. I'm still suffering from Denny's breakfast withdrawal symptoms.
Just remember the real world of commercial plumbing/sparking, is blooming hard graft, early starts, all weathers and working in some right cack holes that can be anywhere in the country. The money's good for a reason.
Residential stuff may be different however, but you'll need experience to set up on your own.
But I still say go for it!! a bit of hard work never killed anyone (much).
I'm doing a similar thing myself, but off to uni to study Podiatry (Chiropody). Bring on the bunions!!!
Residential stuff may be different however, but you'll need experience to set up on your own.
But I still say go for it!! a bit of hard work never killed anyone (much).
I'm doing a similar thing myself, but off to uni to study Podiatry (Chiropody). Bring on the bunions!!!
dave_s13 said: Just remember the real world of commercial plumbing/sparking, is blooming hard graft, early starts, all weathers and working in some right cack holes that can be anywhere in the country. The money's good for a reason.
Residential stuff may be different however, but you'll need experience to set up on your own.
But I still say go for it!! a bit of hard work never killed anyone (much).
I'm doing a similar thing myself, but off to uni to study Podiatry (Chiropody). Bring on the bunions!!!
You trying to get a foot in the door first, Dave?
Ian
tuffer said: Try plastering or plumbing they are in vogue at the moment!! IT is a waste of time.
Yep, agree with that, this is where the money is to be made at the moment. Aswell as electricians etc.
There was an add in the local rag the other day. British gas apprentices (sp?) all you need is 5 GCSE's and a driving licence (provisional will do) and by the year 2005 you will be on £25k +.
I was considering doing this instead of uni, its tempting, might apply anyway, mmmm, hard choice.
As for this comment by Wedge1:
'Oy! There's nowt wrong with manual jobs - leaves your brain free to enjoy stuff in your spare time.'
Great way of looking at it.!!
Our company is a member of the electrical union as are all of our employees. We have electricians as well as low voltage techs. Now that I think of it we have a Brit working for us. He is a telcom tech, an ex BT employee. He must be doing alright as his wife stays home to care for his 2 kids and they live in middle class area.
Only thing is can Apache take the year or so of apprentice pay before he takes his license test. Or do you people not have to do that sort of thing?
Calvin
Only thing is can Apache take the year or so of apprentice pay before he takes his license test. Or do you people not have to do that sort of thing?
Calvin
How about making wooden rocking horses?
Chap I know left the RAF, started making picture frames etc.
Got tired of that tried carving wood for decorative objects and is now making rocking horses. All hand made stuff and he says it's great therapy.
Oh and they sell for £3k+ at Harrods, he didn't say what he gets for them though
Don't forget that as a "manual" you have to work hard earn the good money. MoJo.
Chap I know left the RAF, started making picture frames etc.
Got tired of that tried carving wood for decorative objects and is now making rocking horses. All hand made stuff and he says it's great therapy.
Oh and they sell for £3k+ at Harrods, he didn't say what he gets for them though
Don't forget that as a "manual" you have to work hard earn the good money. MoJo.
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