Apprenticeship for an older guy?

[Snuffy2]

Hi, I'm 38, an IT guy, office based and kinda fell into it about 7 years ago. I'm a help desk guy doing desktop and server support. Not really loving it and not fulfilled.

I worked on site about 8 years ago doing a bit of plumbing, gas fitting and general handyman type work all under supervision. I worked hard and really enjoyed it.

After some long hard thought about the direction of my life, I'm considering learning to be an electrician... not sure what I need to know about finding an apprenticeship, I randomly applied for two yesterday for large new-build domestic companies, I believe this is known as 'house bashing'. Would this be a good entry to the business, or is it too limited in scope to be of use when completing an apprenticeship?

Am I too old to start? Will anyone take on an apprentice of my age?

I don't have any friends that are electricians to ask for advice.

Cheers.

 

[Specialist]

Hi & welcome: No mate 38 is not too old to start, if you've really thought about it & decided that it's what you want, then go for it. Yep housebashing is what we call domestic work. While Domestic is a good way to get a grounding, try not to limit yourself. Commercial & Industrial is harder & often dirtier but can be much more interesting, especially if you get into Industrial fault finding etc.
Just hope you like studying & hard work, you've got a lot of it ahead. Trust me though, it will be worth it in the end.


Good luck.

 

[rolyberkin]

Hi, I think it depends what you want to achieve, I would consider starting by undertaking 2365 L2 and L3, perhaps at night school, there is as far as I am aware no funding for someone over 24 from the government so you will probably have to self fund your learning and get work more as an improver. I am sure there are employers out there who will take on an older apprentice but financially you are not such a good prospect for an employer. That being said the older apprentice has advantages in that they are generally not glued to a smart phone all day long! Good Luck.

 

[D00DY_T00DY]

Never too old to start. You seem to have the passion for it.
Granted most companies prefer school leavers cos they can pay peanuts however on the other hand im sure some companies would prefer a mature apprentice with previous experience on site. I have a lad on my course who's in his late thirties with 8 kids.
Contact a training provider who can help you look for an apprenticeship.

You may need to pay for your course either yourself or a portion; depends on the company.

Best bet is to print out some CVs, go to local firms in person and tell them you're with x training provider looking for an apprenticeship.

Best of luck to you bud.

 

[Rpa07]

8 kids?
That's what happens when you don't work.
I'll bet that he's glad to get to work to get away from it.

 

[Specialist]

Alternatively get a job as a mate while going to college & work up from there, often easier to get a job when your already working in that environment.
8 kids, Geez it's hard enough with 3

 

[D00DY_T00DY]

8 kids?
That's what happens when you don't work.
I'll bet that he's glad to get to work to get away from it.

No he's a lovely lad. Been working at the council for years doing removals and bits before that he was a mechanic. Must have decided on a change of careers and got an apprenticeship with the council housing company.
Not sure he said 8 kids or kids and grandkids.

And some of the stuff he comes out with has me in hysterics.

 

[Rpa07]

I believe you Doody - you've earnt that for sure!

 

[Rpa07]

To @Snuffy2 - a lot of people have done exactly what you want to do and so many have succeeded. I for one have come out of nursing into electrical and enjoy it a lot.
Because a lot have done it you can read their stories and replies by the forum members if you use the search window and do some reading. If you are on a desktop you can scroll to similar threads at the bottom of screen.
My advice is to by some books, second hand or new and read about electricity, installation and everything that is.
YouTube is good as well although you'll have to discern the good the bad and the very ugly.

 

[D00DY_T00DY]

I believe you Doody - you've earnt that for sure!

He's taught me some great sayings though lol
"Ya f*#$ing f&'ny"
"Stop talking wet"
And stopping the tutor mid talk about the minimum and maximum temperature of storage heaters with "tepid! Tepids a good word" followed by everyone admiring the word tepid haha
Still squeeze the word tepid in where possible

 

[Rpa07]

Like this thread if you carry on - tepid!

 

[D00DY_T00DY]

Like this thread if you carry on - tepid!

It's a great word.

Sorry OP another idea however to dip your toe into the trade is look for some casual Saturdays with a local electrician. I'm sure most wouldn't mind an extra pair of hands for feeding cables. How I started whilst on a full time level one course.

Post in the jobs section of the forum see if someone's willing to have you shadow them on odd jobs.

 

[uksrevivor]

Welcome to the forum snuffy2
Im in my mid 40s and retrained as an electrician over the last 3 years. I self funded my courses and went full time at college although its only 2 days per week. You will have a couple of routes to take to get qualifications in this field and i will try and explain them.
Option 1 level 2 city and guilds 2365 diploma in electrical installations will cost around £1000 at a good college. It is full time but mine was only 2 days per week allowing me to earn and work the rest of the week. This course teaches you the very basic practical work and goes into some detail on electrical theory and the science behind it.
You may after successful completion be eligible for a government grant or student loan to pay the fees for the level 3 diploma which is solely theory based with a lot of science and maths involved. The level 3 diploma costs around £1700 to £2300 for the year. This will be your second year. After successful completion you will still not be a qualified electrician, you will need to undertake a practical exam and complete an NVQ portfolio which will only be achievable with onsite practical experience. Its the AM2 if im correct.
This is a fast track route and will only be achieved if you can get work as an electricians mate. It is possible to achieve in 2 years and 6 months but is costly as you will have to self fund the AM2 at around £2000 on top of the level 3 course fees.
Option 2
You are not to old for an apprenticeship in this field but they can be hard to come by as a mature student. As an apprentice you will attend college 1 or 2 days a week but it will take 4 years to complete. The positive side of the apprenticeship is you will gain experience as you learn working for a company and it will be funded for you.
My advice will always be that an apprenticeship is the best option if you can handle 4 years as you will gain invaluable experience in the practical side of this work.
To put this into prospective I took the option 1 route im still learning but im one of the lucky ones as I gained experience from a very knowledgeable electrician who saw potential in me and taught me what i know now. If you take option 1 and do not gain any work experience with an electrician then to put it bluntly the certifications will not be worth a carrot in the outside world as you will not be able to undertake the work involved.
Hope some of this helps and if you need any more info post on here and someone will help.
Good luck and stick with it if you continue its bloody rewarding and I can say its been worth every penny in my experience.
Just a last note try and avoid the 5 week wonder courses that promise the world

 

[uksrevivor]

P.S sorry for the long post I have been away for a while lol

 

[dmxtothemax]

I was 32 when I did my apprenticeship !
Worth it - YES
Will someone take you on ?
Maybe
it comes down to attitude
be positive and sell yourself
every chance you get
believe in yourself and you will do it !