Re-training for a trade

[birdieman]

Has anyone gone through a career change that involved re-training? I'm looking at trades in particular. Totally fed up with my low level managererial job which I've never really understood and involves sitting in front of computer 90% of the day and dealing with one numpty after another on the phone the rest of the time.

Been thinking of changing for years, I changed jobs last year but stayed in the same field. I feel I made some bad choices when I was young career wise but making a change now fills me with worries over money more thn anything, to carry over the training period whilst paying a mortgage and raising kids. I can get 6 months off the mortgage payments at least which is a help.

With plumbing for example, whcih would be my preferred choice, there are a million and one courses on offer all promising this and that but how do you find a bona-fide fast track intensive course that is worth the paper it's written on and does the training correctly?

I really can't afford to become an apprentice serving 2 years making buttons.

Any helps/thouights at this early stage appreciated.

 

[bobmac]

As your off 4 you could do what I did.
I turned pro at 46.
You would have to work in a pro shop for at least 30 hours a week though and do the Degree at the same time, working on it from home.

 

[Smiffy]

As your off 4 you could do what I did.
I turned pro at 46.
You would have to work in a pro shop for at least 30 hours a week though and do the Degree at the same time, working on it from home.

I think plumbing would pay a lot better though Bob

 

[bobmac]

As your off 4 you could do what I did.
I turned pro at 46.
You would have to work in a pro shop for at least 30 hours a week though and do the Degree at the same time, working on it from home.

I think plumbing would pay a lot better though Bob

It's not always about the money.
You get to meet lots of nice people and get great job satisfaction when your pupils play better golf.
Of course, there are the unavoidable knobs that are hopelss cases

 

[Imurg]

I retrained around '03/'04.
Was a stock controller and had the same issues you have. Always fancied being a Driving Instructor so walked out one day when I'd had enough and made a few calls. Started training a few days later.
It is a big move though. Although I did casual jobs whilst training, we lived on the credit cards for 6 months and it took time to pay them off. But in the end I'm happier in my work, it's easier on the rest of the family and I'd do it again tomorrow.

Take your life in your hands, jump and see whre you land. If you put enough effet into it you'll come out the other side.

Good Luck.

 

[bobmac]

If you put enough effet into it you'll come out the other side.

You'll have forgotten how to spell though

 

[pokerjoke]

I went for a job recently with a company that specializes in this field.
Google Redbourne there maybe something on there.

 

[Andy]

Birdieman

I went from IT Network Support to driving Plant.

I just picked a Training school for plant that the Job Centre approved
and that was me.

Thst was 6 years ago and not had any regrets. Though the politics of plant contollers test me to the bone lol

Andy

 

[bladeplayer]

I totaly hear your pain with your job , here 24years this year , doing doorwork 18 year this year , feck all to show for any of it & hate both jobs , trying to change at the min & im scared shitless , just set in my ways i think, one thing about training in a job like plumbing etc is there are alot of guys out ther that have been laid off from building contractors etc that are now doing that kinda work themselves,some doing as nixers so it would be hard to compete with their prices. even if you get your training etc would there be enough work ? building trade is virtualy stopped for a good while so it would be very hard to get work there, so would you be thinking of self employment ? large outlay required to set up properly, no guranteed income like you have now , sorry for the downer just looking at the bigger pictutre .

 

[Dodger]

I may be wrong but going into plumbing,building,electrical contractor and the like in the present climate would be a huge risk would it not?

Plenty of lads who are either mates or members of my club are crying over the severe lack of graft available and many have been either laid off or put on short time and it'll be a long while before things improve I reckon.

Is there no openings within other lines of work that your current skills would suit?

If I were you that is the avenue I would be looking at but it may take a while to find that opening.I kind of fell into my line of work after having a couple of years drifting after leaving the job I hated (both the content of it and latterly the commute) but I have been lucky enough to have found a job I love and also fortunate to have been hand picked by our governing body to go through a further development course free of charge to me.I hope to use this as a springboard to the next level.3 years ago if someone had said I would be eagerly looking forward to a week of further development I would have had them carted off to the funny farm!!

I hope you find something that frees you from the way you are feeling just now Stuart.

 

[Aztecs27]

I may be wrong but going into plumbing,building,electrical contractor and the like in the present climate would be a huge risk would it not?

Plenty of lads who are either mates or members of my club are crying over the severe lack of graft available and many have been either laid off or put on short time and it'll be a long while before things improve I reckon.

I think it must depend where you live, because my mate is a self-employed plumber and is struggling to fit all the work in that he's currently being asked for.

Similarly, his brother is a carpenter and isn't short of work.

Both have to do a lot of weekend work to complete all their jobs.

 

[pokerjoke]

A good tradesman will never be short of work.
Of course a change wont happen overnight,it can take years,maybe the economy will be better then.

 

[CMAC]

A good tradesman will never be short of work.

Pokerjoke is bang on, you will get many referrals if you..
a)Turn up when you say you will
B)Do a good job and communicate any issues first
c)charge a fair price, dont overcharge, ideally provide an estimate and charge less, underpromise and overdeliver.

I know 4 such people in different trades like this and you have to book weeks in advance, but they get repeat business. The ones who let you down bounce around to someone new everyweek.

It's a major step in life but but the fact you WANT to do plumbing and you WANT a change from your job is half the battle, people dont perform well if they dont like their job.
You sound like you know about plumbing already but want a certified training cert behind you. Have you asked the govt dept their advice.
Its scary but whens a good time? will you regret not trying in a few years when your performing badly in your own job through lack of interest.

Cant you re-train part time? evenings/weekends etc? it would give you peace of mind and really affirm whether its what you want, what you really want!

Good luck mate, keep us appraised and keep asking questions.

 

[DCB]

I'd echo some of the thoughts on here about the state of the economy and the resultant lack of work in the construction industry. I work within a facilities management environment and although there is always work on the go, I've yet to see anyone who has progressed through one of these 'career change' type courses. Most of the contractors we use will have 'time served' staff, whatever the discipline. I'm not sure that this would necessarily be as easy a transition as it is thought to be.

 

[gjbike]

Have look at railway industry good pay for little work train drivers at our place are on 40k a year for 35 hrs per week not bad for sitting on your bum and our company are the lowest paid in the rail industry if you can get on the freight side you would be looking at 70k +

 

[birdieman]

Keep em coming, this is great. Good to get all views.

 

[gjbike]

Forgot to say your get plenty rest days so more time on the golf course!!!!!!!

 

[Spoff]

About to do this myself, been a civil servant for 2 weeks short of 13 years and told yesterday my department has not work for someone my grade from early next year so will be surplus (still turn up and get paid but no work) they will find another role with in the department but just about had enough.

Quite fancy the driving instructor thing, who did you train with Imurg?

 

[Ken_A]

I started a small company during the construction boom and got it off the ground - managed to make a few ££ profit then the whole thing fell apart. Only problem was I closed shop on Monday and the Wife came home Wednesday morning to tell me their place was closed. So we sat back panicked a lot and decided to retrain - similar fields but retrain all the same. We could have just went and tried to do basic jobs but to be honest we would both be bored in a few weeks.

HID has just finished her Accountancy degree and is in process of her professional exams and I am about to start into my Masters after doing a Civil Engineering degree. I have been offered a few positions due to experience and maturity (I am only 31 but been working from I was 16).
Don't get me wrong it's brutal at times especially trying to keep time for the Mrs and Jnr while trying to balance a very tight budget and travelling (bloody fuel costs). But I love the experience and I am hoping to stay on do a PhD get chartered and return to teach - though I keep my long term plan loose. That way I can do what I feel is the best suited.

I still do a little bit of self employed engineering work but it is just to keep a few old customers right - as the folks say above do it right and people will always knock at your door.

Not so long ago I was deciding which was best my great job 40 hrs a week or setting up my own company - once I got over the shock of what I was doing I realised that working for yourself is not for everyone but I loved it.

 

[Ken_A]

Also can you take flack and cr4p from people younger than you - one of the things I struggle with is people with less experience but more power - it kills me at times, but I have learnt to hold my tongue.