Out of work, looking at training for something new. Tradesmen help?

[Stevepage]

Well I'm out of work once again, I'm doing some casual work with my uncle (refridgeration fitting), I used to do it full time but I couldn't do it again, I've got my heart set on music and learning a trade to fall back on. Now I've tried getting on an apprenticeship electrician course but no companies are taking on apprentices. I'm now stuck at what to think of.

I'm 24 this year and kinda worried that I'll be too old to do an apprenticeship course seeing as most courses seem to cater for 16 years to early 20's. What the hell can I do?

I'm interested in either plumbing or electrical work as I can take the skills with me to other jobs and even have a chance of moving out of the country at some point.

[choucas09]

Plumbing, that's the kiddy. You can work for someone else or go it alone and either way there's good money to be had. We're all surrounding by pipes and they need fixing. A good plumber is never out of work. As for age don't worry about that. I got taken on as an apprentice boat-builder at 38 and stayed there 16 years. Almost all the guitars/stereo/cameras and vehicles I own came from that late start.

[Nadz1lla]

Were you made redundant? If so you want to search your local training companies for a "Response to Redundancy" scheme. Government funded free training for people made redundant, you get a C&G qualification at the end of it. Course are usually around the 6 week mark, pretty intensive at times, but well worth getting it under your belt. Plumbing / Electrical companies etc will also be a lot more willing to take you on as an apprentice with one of these badgers under your belt! I was 27 when I did mine, and there were people older than me there who were coming out of the forces or had been made redundant themselves, so you get all sorts on the courses.

[Stevepage]

I've found a plumbing company near by that's looking to take on a couple of apprentice's. So I've sent off my CV in hopes to get one of the positions. I think this is deffinately what I want to do, so fingers crossed.

[Stevepage]

Ok so I've applied for the apprenticeship, but I've just seen that  the weekly wage is £95....now this is well below minimum wage for me. Is this a standard wage for a 24 year old looking to do an apprenticeship? if it is, I'm gonna have to forget it, £95 is terrible.

Or is it possible to get some sort of financial support?

[impossible]

Is is a full-time apprenticeship though? I had a friend who was doing a few days of carpentry apprenticeship and a few days of carpentry college, so he was paid a (low but fair) wage for the time he spent "on the job".

Finding work which can both train you and pay you a decent wage simultaneously seems to be fairly rare, as for a period the employer is spending money on you without seeing an immediate profitability. It's a big risk as if you don't stick around for a while he is back to square one and out of pocket to boot.

It's certainly a good idea to research all the government or charitable organisation help you can get because there is lots around. When I was at college I received a £350 grant for tools and materials which I'm told I could have reapplied for an an annual basis.

[Stevepage]

Yeah it's full time. 2 years, working 8 till 4 with one day at college. Problem is I've got a car, rent, phone and other things to pay for. Car insurance alone is £1000 a year.

May have to look into doing a training course then look for the employment after

[Johnny Mac]

Do your HGV and have your iPod on all day!  :D