Retaining to do a trade
Discussion
I'm currently in IT, but very bored of it, and my skills are dated due to the position I'm in. Advise from my folks was to learn a trade when I was young, as there will always be a demand for it. I ignored that and went straight into a IT role.
I've always had a very practical head, and can pick up most handy jobs with ease, much to friends annoyance. I actually enjoy doing it too! So, I was thinking, at the point in my life is the best to jump ship and re-train to do something, or change industry. If I was to do this, I'd want to get on with it, giving up what I do, to do the training, then take on that role. Not 3 years of evening classes.
I am going to look into some of the local collages, to see if there are some short courses I can get involved in.
Whilst I have some savings to pay for courses and my lack of salary for a while, I'm concerned about doing this training, then having to work for someone for 2 years before being able to get my own clients, whilst earning minimum wage. Has anyone done a similar thing to this? After some advise really.
I've always had a very practical head, and can pick up most handy jobs with ease, much to friends annoyance. I actually enjoy doing it too! So, I was thinking, at the point in my life is the best to jump ship and re-train to do something, or change industry. If I was to do this, I'd want to get on with it, giving up what I do, to do the training, then take on that role. Not 3 years of evening classes.
I am going to look into some of the local collages, to see if there are some short courses I can get involved in.
Whilst I have some savings to pay for courses and my lack of salary for a while, I'm concerned about doing this training, then having to work for someone for 2 years before being able to get my own clients, whilst earning minimum wage. Has anyone done a similar thing to this? After some advise really.
My God man - your post count will suffer horribly!
but seriously - if you are practical as well as fairly academic how about something like plumbing or a gas engineer. Both require the academic side to get through exams and each can earn a shed load of money per year.
I'm guessing you are probably mid/late twenties so it might be a local company (or even on of the nationals) might prefer a more mature 'apprentice' - from what I know of daughters boyfriend at 19/20 nothing excites him work wise and you may well find that, that goes in your favour i.e. someone who will get their head down and contribute from day one.
but seriously - if you are practical as well as fairly academic how about something like plumbing or a gas engineer. Both require the academic side to get through exams and each can earn a shed load of money per year.
I'm guessing you are probably mid/late twenties so it might be a local company (or even on of the nationals) might prefer a more mature 'apprentice' - from what I know of daughters boyfriend at 19/20 nothing excites him work wise and you may well find that, that goes in your favour i.e. someone who will get their head down and contribute from day one.
Not sure of the trade. I've dabbled in a bit of plumbing and electrics, as well as general DIY. I've done a few project houses myself or with family.
Around here the plumbers seem to be the ones working 3 or 4 days a week and having plenty of cash from that, maybe that's best!
Of course I'd be willing to get cracking (builders arse anyone), and do the job. My concern is doing 2 years work for someone billing my time at £50/hour and earning £4 for it! I understand school leavers go the apprentice route as it gets them a bit of dosh while learning, but I'm after a bit of a quicker way in, as I've got money to get me into it.
The C&G website is as useless as a chocolate fireguard too.
Around here the plumbers seem to be the ones working 3 or 4 days a week and having plenty of cash from that, maybe that's best!
Of course I'd be willing to get cracking (builders arse anyone), and do the job. My concern is doing 2 years work for someone billing my time at £50/hour and earning £4 for it! I understand school leavers go the apprentice route as it gets them a bit of dosh while learning, but I'm after a bit of a quicker way in, as I've got money to get me into it.
The C&G website is as useless as a chocolate fireguard too.
Why don't you try and find a local plumber that is looking to retire in a few years. You could probably buy your way in, get him to train you whilst you earn a decent wage - then you get his book of customers when he retires - goodwill should be there as you will have met them all in the course of your training.
My Dad also told me to 'learn a trade son...' So I did, and as his trade was in printing, I went the same way. This was back in 1988.
To be fair, the 'trade' did give me a decent living, especially once in management, until the internet, digital stuff, and the recession killed it to death in around 2006 / 2007.
So I have had to 'learn another trade' at 40 years old. Not too much of a problem luckily, as I am not burdened with a wife, kids, family etc.
So I'm now in year two of a three-year journey through college and university, learning my new trade of medicine.
I'm actually loving it, it's great fun being in higher education (as I missed out first time round, doing my printing apprenticeship from age 16) and as a mature student, I can faithfully say that University is wasted on the young!
It's way better to be at Uni as a mature student - the life experience and knowledge give it a completely different dimension!
So yeah - I think one can learn a new trade at any age, if one is willing and candid enough to do so!
To be fair, the 'trade' did give me a decent living, especially once in management, until the internet, digital stuff, and the recession killed it to death in around 2006 / 2007.
So I have had to 'learn another trade' at 40 years old. Not too much of a problem luckily, as I am not burdened with a wife, kids, family etc.
So I'm now in year two of a three-year journey through college and university, learning my new trade of medicine.
I'm actually loving it, it's great fun being in higher education (as I missed out first time round, doing my printing apprenticeship from age 16) and as a mature student, I can faithfully say that University is wasted on the young!
It's way better to be at Uni as a mature student - the life experience and knowledge give it a completely different dimension!
So yeah - I think one can learn a new trade at any age, if one is willing and candid enough to do so!
Some good replies, thanks guys.
I fear 3 years of education won't work, I've a mortgage to pay. I'm not looking for a miracle, but am surprised there isn't a short course to learn basics for say electricians, so I can at least work for someone rather than be an apprentice.
I'll be spending some time looking into what I can do.
I fear 3 years of education won't work, I've a mortgage to pay. I'm not looking for a miracle, but am surprised there isn't a short course to learn basics for say electricians, so I can at least work for someone rather than be an apprentice.
I'll be spending some time looking into what I can do.
Gassing Station | Jobs & Employment Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff