Career change at 40 - realistic or not??

[Lyndon]

After 21 years with BT, nearly 40 years old, and the offer of a decent redundancy I'm seriously thinking about setting up as a spark (domestic).
I'm waiting for a reply from the local college but would be interested in the expert view of what qualifications I should go for and whether it's a realistic aim to be working for myself within two years - I really need to be clearing at least £25k by then?
How many 40 year old apprentices are out there?

Thanks

 

[carl9254]

Im in a similar situation, i have 6 years electrical engineering behind me but want to get into the domestic side of electrical work, i want too do the courses and set up on my own but it will be very hard too start, im hoping my PAT Testing may get me a bit of work in to start. Im just very worried that i have no experiance in this side of electrical work and the courses will get me the qualifications but not the experiance i need.

 

[soulman]

hi mate started career change at 36. i,m doing the 2330 part time and just started my second year. i looked into these fast track courses in great depth, but decided to do to college as it was £400 instead of £6000, and i would only loose that amount if i didnt enjoy it or found it too difficult. I have been to college for my first year and thoughly enjoyed it. i now know for myself that fast track is not the way to go. Electrical work requires thought and time to allow things to sink in and fully understand it . I understand that college is different to the real world and things will be slightly different working out there. therefore i spoke to two electicians both said in my third year i would be free to tag along, one or two days a week free of charge of course to help and learn. one electricain actually said "if you any good i,ll start you." these were two electricians i didnt even know. i thought this was unbeliveable. Anyway i decided to become a electrician because i'm good with my hands practically and electrical work is very interesting and well paid as it should be. in my opinion someone who can do a part p 17th edition and register with a body, then go to work on someones property is dangerous, when there is no way you could fully understand what you are doing and the dangers involved. No wonder fully qualified electricians are furious. Also with regards to the money side of it, i have noted that similar sites like this one for electricians and plumbers all seem to go down the same avenue stating you cant earn this amount of money, there is no work. you haven't got the experience. well just because your an electrician, working for yourself, doesn't mean you have a degree in business. i have had my own business for twelve years now in the food trade. i know of people who have changed careers to plumbers and sparks some with no training on the plumbing side and they are minted, always got work even in this climate. you have to be business minded you cant just sit on your ar*e with your qualifications and expect a huge influx of work and a huge pay packet. you will have to know how to market yourself and adapt to climate changes. I know a spark who had very little work about a year ago, so he adapted he was continualy being asked to install electric showers and seen how much plumbers were making, now he continues to do electrial work, but also installs full bathrooms and can sign them off himself. i know this seems a bit long winded, what i'm trying to say dont let people put you off. i think 25K is mork than achiveable also when you start you may mistakes which will cost. but just post on here they seem to keep even the experieced spark on the right track.

 

[tuckermot]

good post soul man !!

 

[simond1972]

Funny I was contemplating a career change to air traffic controller, how do I go about the transition? is there any fast track courses?

now now girls

 

[montybaber]

now now girls

Excuse me?

 

[madeinengland]

Hi lyndon go for it !!!!!

I started at college at 38 did 3years part time (saturdays) then trying to work with other sparks while holding down full time job !!!

I now have
2330 level 2
2330level 3
17th edition
2391
napit part p reg

scruffy escort van

i work part time only and love it good luck mate follow ya dream bud !!

how difficult did you find the 2391? did you have much experience when you did it? i've done 3 years at college with no on site experince and have been told by my tutor that he thinks i'd pass 2391. yet everyone else tells me it's very very difficult. sorry to hijack the post guys.

 

[simond1972]

Excuse me?

your answer to the guys question was not very helpfu,l seemed sarcastic infact

 

[montybaber]

You can read my advice to the OP again and maybe you will se that I was trying to be helpful

The air traffic control comment was tongue in cheek and perhaps uncalled for although I do think I have a point more importantly since when do I have to justify anything I write on here to you?

 

[Mark.W]

Come on guys lets be civil on here!

 

[simond1972]

You can read my advice to the OP again and maybe you will se that I was trying to be helpful

The air traffic control comment was tongue in cheek and perhaps uncalled for although I do think I have a point more importantly since when do I have to justify anything I write on here to you?

Hey dont be like that i was just joking too with my now now girls comment nothing meant by it

 

[montybaber]

Hey dont be like that i was just joking too with my now now girls comment nothing meant by it

Ok.... sorry if I overreacted I apologise, Its a subject I feel strongly about im afraid.

To become an professional in our industry takes as much dedication as many other professions although it would be laughable to think anyone could make the transition from electrician/engineer to air traffic controller in a matter of weeks, it seems the opposite isnt the case and it saddens me.

Brightspark...although I respect every forum requires moderation I disagree that my post was uncivilized. i cant see your intervention was required although I appreciate your concern

 

[Mark.W]

That wasn't directed at you Mondybaber mate It was directed at the thread as a whole!

 

[montybaber]

Ok...for the second time i apologise

 

[Spudnik]

And on that note, unless the OP requests otherwise, thread closed.

 

[Dave]

Thanks jason.


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