Thread: Mature aged apprenticeship

Talk to HIA or MBA, they may be able to help

I'd suggest do the rounds. If you can, try to get up some experience by labouring for some different carpenters, you'll also be able to get a better idea of what the job involves while you're at it.

When you say do the rounds do you just mean give a bunch of compaies a call?


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

Like said above. Just get out there and call,walk in. Ask to sweep floors, empty dust bins, make coffee, anything. Show your keen to learn and absorb information.
If available take some courses, (money permitting). I hate to say it but at 24 I wouldn't consider you a mature age apprentice. I didn't start my apprenticeship till 23, and i certainly wasn't mature. But that's just me. It's tough not earning cash but a week here and there for nothing, seeing what they do, seeing if you like it, could go along way to landing the job you want. Just don't let them take advantage.
Good luck.

One of the difficulties you will face is that an employer will have to pay you adult wages compared to taking on a school kid.
Hopefully the upside for you is that you can show maturity and focus on the job to show that you would be worth the extra money
Good luck finding a job, they are not easy to come by, doorknock a few builders and show them how keen you are for a start even initially as a labourer

What would a labourer job entail with a builder im currently a labourer where i make concrete sleepers for retaining walls


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

A labourer with a builder can be all sorts of things from digging a hole, unloading a truck, moving material around site, cleaning up etc etc but also assisting tradesman which will mean you get to do some carpentry work like making or standing house frames, laying decking or flooring etc jobs that require a extra set of hands but don’t necessarily need to be tradie ones. A couple of my apprentices initially started as labourers.

if you can get an apprenticeship straight up that would be great but in the mean time I suggest you get a labourers job on a building site so that you get to understand how things go and become a bit handy to have around.
Your prospects of landing an apprenticeship will be a lot better if you already have some on the job experience.

You could also try agencies like this Home - Ai Group Apprentice and Trainee Centre (Ai Group ATC) they'll assess your skills, find out what you're looking for and place you with a suitable employer

Thanks for the advice i appreciate it


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

Can I ask perhaps a naive question? Why would anyone want to do an apprenticeship anyway?

Why not Just Do It? Just open your shop and start working.

Well an apprenticeship will give me all the knowledge i need to be able to do that at the moment i only know the basics and being able to work under people i can learn different techniques


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

I went through a group training company that paired me up with a host when I did my electrical apprenticeship.
Makes it so the host isn't stuck with you for 4 years if there is a personality clash or work dries up.

1) Not everyone has the resources to go out on their own straight away
2) Ditto for skills
3) It's a hell of a lot easier to be physically taught how to do something than trying to learn it from a book or video
4) It's relatively secure income; there might not be much of it, but at least you know you'll be getting paid every week. Plus you get guaranteed super, sick leave, etc.

Ah ok i havent thought of that


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