Is too late to start .

[Thommo]

Hello everyone,
Just wondering your thoughts and welcome any advice.
Just been made redundant again from my original trade of printer which frankly is a dying trade. I did a 5 year apprenticeship in the early eighties which at the age of 55 now seems worthless.
In and out of the print trade over the years I regularly worked on site ceiling fixing for my uncles firm.
I worked a lot of nights on London Underground steel fixing and installing ceilings and panels over track and escalators etc.Running compartment trunking along platforms, using chem fix on threaded rod and many other things.Therefore I do have plenty of experience using tools etc and have gained certification necessary for that work on lul.
All have now expired except CSCS card.Have enquired about this kind of work, but jobs are scarce and based on who you know.
I have been offered a start as a sparks mate and doing a months trial. Obviously I am not a kid who will be on his phone all day, I have a mentality of a good days wedge for a good days graft. I would want to learn as much as possible because I wouldn’t be content just labouring.More of an elderly improver, So I will give it a go, do any of you think I am too late . Old dog new tricks and all that.

 

[telectrix]

go for it mate. @ 55 yous still got 15 + years to go. even if you stay as a sparks' mate, wages are decent.

 

[Thommo]

go for it mate. @ 55 yous still got 15 + years to go. even if you stay as a sparks' mate, wages are decent.

Thanks for the encouragement mate,
Obviously a bit apprehensive, not the first time been laid off but don’t get any easier.

 

[Dan]

Go for it. I hope I have a fallback when I'm 55. I don't know what I'd do when we're all virtual reality simulations of ourselves in some avatar-based world and we don't need forums anymore.

Keep your contacts, and collect some more while you're being a sparks mate. It's a handy trade to be part of by the looks of it.

(I'm not a sparky by any means!)

 

[Dustydazzler]

If you you are physically able go for it

 

[Thommo]

If you you are physically able go for it

Willing and able mate

 

[telectrix]

i'm still at it at 72. knees and back permitting.
phwe good job i proof read that. originally said i'm still a ---.

 

[Dan]

Awww as if we've got you proof reading posts now!

Both my back and my knees have gone, totally not related to anything work wise (cartilage gone in knees and had them out, and back fractured a couple of years ago) so I'm knackard if I tried to start wall and floor tiling again. There's bob hope I could do that now. I'm 38. So I'm hoping forums are still a thing when I'm 65 lol



You've got a nice chance really to get into it again there. I'd go for it. Sod printing. Don't know why libraries are still going. Their computer-end is archaic in my local libraries. And their books untouched. Paper has had it's day I think.

Mind you, a lot of printers I know have gone into van sign-writing, and as a result kinda vehicle wrapping and then a bit of detailing too. And that's a growing trade.

So you shape your business to fit what's going or just give it up and change yourself. There's no one sudden day anything happens with a business. Usually.

 

[buzzlightyear]

Old dog new tricks

ask Tele & Pete they could show the pups a thing or three ,even in their bath chairs ,lol..
go for it .
[automerge]1567970264[/automerge]

down the home pub ,lol.

 

[Megawatt]

Hello everyone,
Just wondering your thoughts and welcome any advice.
Just been made redundant again from my original trade of printer which frankly is a dying trade. I did a 5 year apprenticeship in the early eighties which at the age of 55 now seems worthless.
In and out of the print trade over the years I regularly worked on site ceiling fixing for my uncles firm.
I worked a lot of nights on London Underground steel fixing and installing ceilings and panels over track and escalators etc.Running compartment trunking along platforms, using chem fix on threaded rod and many other things.Therefore I do have plenty of experience using tools etc and have gained certification necessary for that work on lul.
All have now expired except CSCS card.Have enquired about this kind of work, but jobs are scarce and based on who you know.
I have been offered a start as a sparks mate and doing a months trial. Obviously I am not a kid who will be on his phone all day, I have a mentality of a good days wedge for a good days graft. I would want to learn as much as possible because I wouldn’t be content just labouring.More of an elderly improver, So I will give it a go, do any of you think I am too late . Old dog new tricks and all that.

I’m 61 and still wanting to learn electrical is awesome

 

[buzzlightyear]

we are all on learning curve but I now need now get off ,lol.

 

[Thommo]

Awww as if we've got you proof reading posts now!

Both my back and my knees have gone, totally not related to anything work wise (cartilage gone in knees and had them out, and back fractured a couple of years ago) so I'm knackard if I tried to start wall and floor tiling again. There's bob hope I could do that now. I'm 38. So I'm hoping forums are still a thing when I'm 65 lol



You've got a nice chance really to get into it again there. I'd go for it. Sod printing. Don't know why libraries are still going. Their computer-end is archaic in my local libraries. And their books untouched. Paper has had it's day I think.

Mind you, a lot of printers I know have gone into van sign-writing, and as a result kinda vehicle wrapping and then a bit of detailing too. And that's a growing trade.

So you shape your business to fit what's going or just give it up and change yourself. There's no one sudden day anything happens with a business. Usually.

Sound advice me thinks I am done with print.
I will certainly give it my best shot.Looking forward to the challenge.

 

[ipf]

Sound advice me thinks I am done with print.
I will certainly give it my best shot.Looking forward to the challenge.

Good luck, mate. Sounds like you've got a decent opportunity.
Common sense, fitness and an ability to learn are all at a premium in the trade, these days. If you've got the lot, onwards and upwards, regardless of age.

 

[BruceBanner]

If your able & have an opportunity go for it.
Every day a school day. Don't matter who you are.
Good luck.

 

[Thommo]

Hello all,
Have not been on here since starting out in October.Did not have much to contribute. Read and digested a lot of your encouraging advice and decided to go for it.
Just thought I would log in for a nose , now I’ve been working in the trade since September and started a full on course today and suddenly it’s all looking very daunting.
How did any of you feel when you set eyes on all those bloody books ?