Thinking about my future

[Ross1]

Hi All,

Anyone in or been in this situation. Im 44 and been doing mostly domestic (running my own company which is now a one man band). My body is starting to struggle with arthritis, I know that 5 years from now I wont be able to be doing this working up your own arse domestic stuff.
I dont know weather to have a complete career change where there is no heavy labour involved, which would mean starting over doing god knows what. Or do i continue for know do my 18th edition update course and do some kind of C&G level 4 course ( not sure what avenues i could study towards?) part time so that I can hopefully land myself a less laborious role in a few years time. Not sure what the hell to do

 

[buzzlightyear]

ross so let me by start saying I'm now coming to retirement and is not fast any more ,bones creak like hell in the mornings ,but over time i keep plodding on, wait in five years time before you make a rash decision.

 

[SparkyAndGeorge]

Have you considered doing the design course and going into an office based design role? or lecturing? or even more of a maintenance type position with less physical labour?

 

[ruston]

@Ross1

ross so let me by start saying I'm now coming to retirement and is not fast any more ,bones creak like hell in the mornings ,but over time i keep plodding on, wait in five years time before you make a rash decision.

I agree . Unless you have been medically told that you will not be able to work in five years I would see how you go.
Most people over 40 in manual work are cursed with joint and back problems , it does seem to meet a max out level off .

There is no harm in planning for the future and doing what you are planning , but most of us have felt the way that you do when we feel that time is catching up with us. You are still a young man compared to some of us . Do not be to disheartened.

 

[BruvDunk]

Made me feel old reading this....
Try sniffing round a few maintenance positions. New challenge with less crawling around in lofts etc etc

 

[Megawatt]

Hi All,

Anyone in or been in this situation. Im 44 and been doing mostly domestic (running my own company which is now a one man band). My body is starting to struggle with arthritis, I know that 5 years from now I wont be able to be doing this working up your own arse domestic stuff.
I dont know weather to have a complete career change where there is no heavy labour involved, which would mean starting over doing god knows what. Or do i continue for know do my 18th edition update course and do some kind of C&G level 4 course ( not sure what avenues i could study towards?) part time so that I can hopefully land myself a less laborious role in a few years time. Not sure what the hell to do

Have you give any thought of getting into teaching, not sure if UK makes you guys go to continuing education every year ?

 

[Taylortwocities]

Two avenues spring to mind:
Get training for electric vehicle charge points and get yourself on the installer register. If we believe what we are told, every home will need one.
Or, there’s a squillion Smart meters to install. That must be physically easier work. Don’t know how much it pays though…

 

[Dustydazzler]

Near all older sparks that I know or have known employ or use a labourer for most things now.
Im 40 and my back and knees kill me most days , I can barely walk now after an 8 hour day of hard graft.
When I was 21 I would smash out an 8 hour shift on site like it was nothing then go out on the beers all evening. Now i just want to go home and sit down.
Get a young labourer to do all your cable pulling and box chopping etc.
Pay them a decent wedge and they generally are ok

 

[Megawatt]

Near all older sparks that I know or have known employ or use a labourer for most things now.
Im 40 and my back and knees kill me most days , I can barely walk now after an 8 hour day of hard graft.
When I was 21 I would smash out an 8 hour shift on site like it was nothing then go out on the beers all evening. Now i just want to go home and sit down.
Get a young labourer to do all your cable pulling and box chopping etc.
Pay them a decent wedge and they generally are ok

I’m 61 years old and that’s what I do

 

[Moley]

Only you can know what your body can cope with. If you are struggling at 44 then perhaps you should look elseware. I'm 57 and my body aches but I still love crawling all over a gen transformer in the pouring rain.It's all down to what you do or don't enjoy and what you think you can cope with.

 

[telectrix]

I'm feeling it now. some mornings the brain says work... the legs and back say stay in bed. Think I'm really getting past 10 hour days. 6 hours ( with maybe 1 hour's driving ) is getting almost too much.

 

[telectrix]

yeah. but I,m only 72 !!!!!.

 

[HappyHippyDad]

Hi All,

Anyone in or been in this situation. Im 44 and been doing mostly domestic (running my own company which is now a one man band). My body is starting to struggle with arthritis, I know that 5 years from now I wont be able to be doing this working up your own arse domestic stuff.
I dont know weather to have a complete career change where there is no heavy labour involved, which would mean starting over doing god knows what. Or do i continue for know do my 18th edition update course and do some kind of C&G level 4 course ( not sure what avenues i could study towards?) part time so that I can hopefully land myself a less laborious role in a few years time. Not sure what the hell to do

1. Keep fit, pilates, yoga, back exercises so that you can work longer.
2. Maybe go part time as an electrician, choose easier jobs and also get another job stacking shelfs, bar work, etc anything easy which will keep you occupied and give you a little cash.
3. Teaching training course so you could teach in a college.
4. Just go to a college and see in what capacity they could use you without qualifications if you don't fancy studying.
5. Re-train in a completely different career.
6. If your kids are old enough and you don't have a wife head off travelling around the world for a year or 2 and see what comes along. If you have a wife, take her!

See it as something exciting, which it probably will be!

 

[MDJ]

Hi All,

Anyone in or been in this situation. Im 44 and been doing mostly domestic (running my own company which is now a one man band). My body is starting to struggle with arthritis, I know that 5 years from now I wont be able to be doing this working up your own arse domestic stuff.
I dont know weather to have a complete career change where there is no heavy labour involved, which would mean starting over doing god knows what. Or do i continue for know do my 18th edition update course and do some kind of C&G level 4 course ( not sure what avenues i could study towards?) part time so that I can hopefully land myself a less laborious role in a few years time. Not sure what the hell to do

Get into maintenance, easy life

 

[Des 56]

Whilst I was working for myself, I also mixed in testing for councils and housing associations
As you know its hardly back breaking work and always seems to be available. Ruston stated,you can't be sure of whats to come, you may be being pessimistic,there are sectors that don't require house bashing fitness and the work can also be more satisfying on occasion