Thread: Mature aged apprenticeship

Pre-apps are definitely worth the time if nothing comes up short term. I learnt a lot of hands on skills and tips that I still use, even though I've swapped trades from Carpentry to Cabinet/Furnituremaking. (Though I never apprenticed as a Carpenter).

Originally Posted by woodPixel

I wasn't trying to be facetious.

I've seen a great deal over the last six years since my daughter went to Uni. They offer a stupendous plethora of absolutely useless degrees that only, realistically, qualify them for the back of an unemployment queue. Looking at every one of my daughter's friends, they seemed to think the degree was some sort of entitlement--certificate to a public service job (or such).

I found the OP's post interesting. There are many ways to go through life and I was curious why someone couldn't build their own business while studying (TAFE, CIT, Uni, etc), or if suitably empassioned to go and just start small and build up.

A manual occupation differentiates itself to clients/customers with skill, passion, character and chutzpah. These are innate, not taught.

Then again, sometimes I'm certain there is something important I'm missing with literally everything in life, some aspect of my personality doesn't ask for permission or a "permit"... And I often wonder why others do as they do.

That's the way, I'm with you. Just opened a new workshop here specialising in fixing broken bones, removing brain tumors, restoring sight and mental wellbeing. Also happy to give financial advice and read your Tarot cards while you wait.
Mention this post and you are entitled to a 50% discount on your first visit and a free set of steak knives.
Joking.
Nothing beats a respected trade qualification in my mind, how many people do you see do half a trade and end up only half a tradesman. Sure there are some folk who finish a trade whose heart wasn't in it and are therefore average but the best operators usually have that bit of paper.
I don't think 24 years is too old by a long shot. Seen people do a second trade in their 35-40's.

Yea im just finding allt of places arent willing to pay the extra money


Wood working is one third planning, one third execution and one third figuring out how to cover up the mistake you just made during the execution

Artful Bodger, wow.

You've grasped my meaning, fully.

Originally Posted by DeSeriousSquid

Yea im just finding allt of places arent willing to pay the extra money


Wood working is one third planning, one third execution and one third figuring out how to cover up the mistake you just made during the execution

Mate that is why you need to make yourself more employable than the younger ones with some on the job experience and or pre apprenticeship training

Yeah that sounds good im hopefully gonna call the tafe to talk about a pre apprenticeship tommorow jjst depends if i finish work early enough


Wood working is one third planning, one third execution and one third figuring out how to cover up the mistake you just made during the execution

Originally Posted by artful bodger

I don't think 24 years is too old by a long shot.

Definitely not, I'm about to start my second trade (technically third, but the first two are almost the same) and I'm 28

What are your trades


Wood working is one third planning, one third execution and one third figuring out how to cover up the mistake you just made during the execution

Cabinet/furniture Making and Wood Machining. About to start Mechanical Engineering - Fitting and Turning.

Oh nice


Wood working is one third planning, one third execution and one third figuring out how to cover up the mistake you just made during the execution

My son, now 37, always wanted to do an electrical or electronics apprenticeship. Could always get down to the last few being considered locally, but the job always went to someone with better contacts. He did multiple years at TAFE off his own bat and this ended up being a negative because employers could not get the government incentive payments unless he re-did those units - great system. He moved to Sydney when he was 22 and some years later, at the age of 27, he applied for a mature age electrical apprenticeship. He topped the State, won a medal, but couldn't get a go here - what a s#$t system. I feel sorry for any of the young kids these days whose parents don't have the contacts to get them a start, it's not like when I was a kid, when you could choose what career area you wanted to go to and get a job no problems. It's a national disgrace, we're burning a generation of potential good workers.

You should research any opportunities to get an apprenticeship with a government or semi-government organisation. These employers seem to value the skills and enthusiasm that a mature age person can bring. If you do get a start with such an organisation don't let the lethargy of some of the dead wood in the place get to you, keep your nose to the grindstone, you won't regret it.

DeSeriousSqid, I wish you all the best in your quest and I hope that you are successful before the system beats the enthusiasm out of you. Don't give up in a hurry.

Originally Posted by artful bodger

I don't think 24 years is too old by a long shot. Seen people do a second trade in their 35-40's.

A new job/trade/occupation whatever you call it is never to late to learn. I always imagined I'd ply my trade for the rest of my life. Until I found a completely new one at 38. And still not mature.��

Originally Posted by woodPixel

I've seen a great deal over the last six years since my daughter went to Uni. They offer a stupendous plethora of absolutely useless degrees that only, realistically, qualify them for the back of an unemployment queue. Looking at every one of my daughter's friends, they seemed to think the degree was some sort of entitlement--certificate to a public service job (or such).

Could someone put this on a plaque in front of every high school in the land please.



Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

I spent 5 years teaching pre apprenticeship Blacktown TAFE (now Nirimba TAFE), it was the best course. 3 days a week on site for 12 months with 16 trainees and 2 teachers, then 2 days a week in workshop and lecture doing theory. Had a broad cross section of trainees, the one's that wanted to be there and a couple had to be there like it or lump it and a fair spattering of ethnic backgrounds.
Percentage wise 70% got jobs within 2 months, the others struggled but got jobs eventually and a some just moved onto other non related skills or work.
What did stand out was that those who applied themselves absolutely cruised through and a few had jobs lined up weeks before finishing and they had a natural aptitude or affinity to the trade. The mindset is very important and you will find the teachers will go the extra mile to help those that want to succeed.
Its a bit different the way trades are structured now with the emphasis on completing modules and this tends take make those that only have an interest in particular facets of the trade and just do enough to get there cert at the end. A good all rounder is worth more but finding that traditional builder with that in depth niche of the market are not that plentiful. Sub contracting has ruined the skill sets and in depth expertise in the industry.
Companies that you will get a good grounding in are the ones that specialise in renovations/extensions or period work. Go and talk to some of the building material recycling companies, they will be able to tell you who the builders are that tend to follow that type of work.