Advice on gaining an apprenticeship/work experience as a 31 yr old?

[HertsStudent]

I'm a 31 yr old male 3 weeks into the level 2 City and Guilds certificate course. I trained as a Nurse in late teens and practiced until my mid twenties at which point I became an accountant/bookkeeper and have been slowly dying in front of a computer screen ever since.

Recently decided to take the plunge, save a bit of money, quit my job and embark on a career in plumbing. I'm loving the course, enjoying the usefulness of all I am learning and though I am aware that the prevailing opinion on the forum is that the market is over-saturated at the moment, I don't think it is different from any other career path so would appreciate if any such comments were kept to a minimum.

I am starting to feel the pressure of finding a job to gain some on site experience as my plan is to get on to the NVQ L2 course as soon as I am finished the cert lvl 2. My question is - does anyone have any advice as to how I can get a job/apprenticeship in the meantime? As far as I am aware, the rules regarding apprenticeships for someone of my age are different and most plumbers mate jobs are looking for full-time, experienced mates. I can't work full time as I'm in college 8-5 Monday-Wednesday and don't have any jobbing experience to speak of.

I'm beyond keen and my savings are getting pretty low. The wife is getting on my case as it's not easy living on just her wage and our dwindling savings.

I live in South Herts and don't drive (I'm learning atm but with money being tight, I am a bit stuck).

Thanks in advance!

 

[cr0ft]

There are companies out there who will be open minded and take on an older trainee. My company has recruited a 27 year old who is currently in his first year of his apprenticeship. He was under no illusion from the start that I expected much more of him than someone who was 16 from school. He has been on the living wage/minimum wage since the start but I am training him up to do gas and electrical work.

There are times when I've seriously questioned whether the money is well spent but I view him more as a longer term investment really.

In a year or so he will be doing most of my gas and electrical work which will free me up to expand my business.

You have no right to anything over £3.30 per hour in the first year of an apprenticeship, no matter how old you are. After that, living wage applies to you.

Realistically you will need a driving license - when the 17 year olds coming through the door to apply for apprenticeships all have one you need to be looking a lot more attractive to your employer than they do.

Hope some of this helps.

 

[jtsplumbing]

Best of luck with what you are trying to do, these days you need a driving licence , you must have an idea by now the amount of tools you need to carry with you, as for getting on an apprentice-ship well good luck with that, if you do get one , can you live on what you will be earning for the next few years ? nothing much is going to happen in the building trade for a few years yet, most contracts have been put on hold until the government get there finger out with leaving Europe , then they need to start a massive house building project, By the time that happens I'll be long dead and you will be retiring from work.

 

[HertsStudent]

Thanks for the responses gents. Yea I am in the process of getting a license - I've always worked in the city and never needed a license, getting one now won't be too much of a problem.

My other half is earning well, we just need something coming in from me in the meantime as a cushion.

Thanks again!

 

[Tjdservices]

Hi hertsstudent, I'll be honest with you I would not consider taking anyone on without a driving license. I think that should be a priority for you. You have to make yourself as appealing as possible if someone is going to invest there time training you.