Starting an apprenticeship in your late 20s

[eggchaser1987]

Has anyone started an apprenticeship later on after starting a carrier that they really haven't got on with?

I started in a role that, for my age, was well paid but did mean that I could be got rid of when ever. Due to this uncertainty of work I left after a couple of years and joined a company that I thought would not just get rid of people.
After 5 years of working for them and putting me through college they turned to me and made me redundant, so much for joining somewhere that keep people in work.

Anyway I managed to get a job in the same kind of industry but I really am not enjoying it. No worries with the responsibility of the job it's just everyone playing the blame game when something goes wrong.

I have a mortgaged property that my oh and I are living in, the plan so far is to rent this property, get into an apprenticeship and live with my parents for a few years.
I know of doesn't sound ideal I just don't think we could live on ohs wage only. Anyway that's not what I'm asking.

Apprenticeship in your late 20s has anyone done it and yes go for it or not stick out the job I have and try to find another company to work for and hope it's better?

[DocJock]

A lot of apprenticeships are part-funded by Government grants. These are only available if you are under 24.

[Valgar]

I tried for about two dozen apprenticeships between 28-30, not a single bite. Most obviously because the employers get the wage cost subsidised(?), I can't remember the exact amounts but under 21s tend to get the most amount paid for by the government so companies use it as free/cheap labour, I mean "warehouse apprenticeship" and "computer building" apprenticeship are just pure BS.

Long story short, you got zero chance! Sorry, I've been there.

My advice would be pay for your own training in something.

[Sunnyone]

We have a first year apprentice who is 25. The difference is the funding we recieve is around £400 less than for someone younger. So his age had no bearing on the decision to take him on.

There are a couple of other older guys in his college year so it does happen.

Also, the idea that the people take on apprentices as cheap labour is way off the mark. The vast majority of buisness do it to support young people. Apprentices spend a large chunk of the first few years in college (being paid but not bring any income to the buisness). Any benefits will come years later if the apprentices stays on.

[orangesrule]

Some larger firms, don't consider the loss of grants for older apprentices, Their main concern however is more from a welfare point of view, can you live off an apprentice wage.

I did an electrical engineering apprenticeship from the age of 17, from day 1 was paid more than minimum wage. Scroll forward 7 years, i earnt 47k last year, not too bad at 24 living in the southwest. So if you can make short term financial cuts, it can definitely be worth it.


Best of luck!

[eggchaser1987]

Thanks all. I knew that older apprenticeships weren't funded as younger were.
The hunt begins, I have a few companies local to me that I know offer apprenticeships in sectors that I am thinking about.

All I can do is ask I suppose.

[orangesrule]

I work for Babcock, they have many fingers in many pies, cover loads of industries and are a pretty decent employer. Maybe worth a look at to see if they have your chosen career.

[Tango13]

Sunnyone said:

Also, the idea that the people take on apprentices as cheap labour is way off the mark. The vast majority of buisness do it to support young people. Apprentices spend a large chunk of the first few years in college (being paid but not bring any income to the buisness). Any benefits will come years later if the apprentices stays on.

Very true, certainly in precision engineering an apprentice will cost an employer money for the first 2-3 years.

Once an apprentice compleats their time they can sometimes be more of an asset to the business than the older blokes on the shopfloor, they are generally more up to date with the latest technology and are open to new ideas and methods.