Thread: Seeking advice and experiences from those who completed a mature aged apprenticeship

Thanks for the feedback guys.

Definitely not going into it with a view that the money is going to be massive and lavish haha, it's definitely my passion for creating, problem solving and enjoyment that I'm looking to fulfill!

I have pressed on another month at the desk job and there have been some days where I've left feeling ok about it and other days where I have just about quit on the spot. There have been a couple of cabinet maker and carpentry apprenticeships advertised here in Hobart and I'm strongly considering applying.

I'm in quite a fortunate position where our mortgage is low in comparison to other states and I have made some calculations and determined that while the finances will be a challenge, it's not out of the question with a little belt tightening and having SWMBO pick up an extra day per week at work!

Thanks again to everyone for providing their feedback

One option you could consider is to move into another similar job to what you already have, at a similar pay. Get some new stimulation, perhaps even find something you like.

I love woodwork, but wouldn't want to work in a production environment. Also my relatively higher salary with my office jobs, allows me to indulge my wide range of hobbies.

Bit of background on me. Ive done a cert 2 in fabrication, bachelor in software, and masters in biomedical. I spent 7 years as a software eng, 2 as a biomedical eng, and 2 as a quality assurance engineer. I find the frequent changes in roles, keeps me stimulated and interested. I spend about 5 hours a week woodworking (which is alot considering I have 2 kids under 3)

I've found wfh has significantly improved my work experience. We're also considering a move north to be closer to family and water whilst still working from home. So I suspect this will increase my chances of being closer proximity to Tafe NSW for me to tackle a furniture cert or course and more shed time with a plan on making the switch one day

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Originally Posted by dimithri

.... I love woodwork, but wouldn't want to work in a production environment. .....

Me, too, and I suspect most Forumites would agree.

Originally Posted by delbs

... So I suspect this will increase my chances of being closer proximity to Tafe NSW for me to tackle a furniture cert or course ...

I looked at a TAFE course about 6-7 years ago, and spoke to a close friend who worked within the system. He said TAFE was in turmoil, was demoralised, and a very unhappy place to be. This seems to still be the situation and perhaps Australia wide.

Looking wider, I found some very interesting short courses available - Nelson, New Zealand, topped the list - but also courses within the universities, usually in fine arts or architecture & design schools. Eventually I did a fine arts degree majoring in 3D-design - Woodwork. It was a good decision.

May I suggest that you cast your net a little wider than just TAFE.

Graeme makes a very good point. There are some excellent courses available as an introduction to the higher end of woodworking, both here and overseas.
The TAFE system is suffering and can be a pain to come to terms with. Fortunately, the trades are still being catered for without the disruption experienced by other parts of the system. The big question is; How important is a trade ticket to you? I know others here have said they have never been asked for their ticket. That could well be the case in the general bump and grind of small scale domestic construction But when it comes to the big time, they usually want to know whats ya really is. While on the tools and under supervision, no one gives a rats. Out in the big world, with only yourself to blame, it is a bonus to be qualified.

All valid points. Was considering Tafe not for purely the earning the ticket but more for convenience.

Being near Macksville where the TAFE is thought it would be good to do some part time attendance.

I don't know of any courses being run up northern NSW way so significant cost for travel and entrance fees for some of those privately run courses so it puts it out of my budget.

Plus the cost of those expensive courses could get me another fine tool for the collection

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I am starting a cert IV of furniture design at Tafe coffs harbour today. 3 days a week for a year. It is horribly advertised but I was able to find it by local word of mouth. Was inches from being cancelled due to tafe rewriting all courses and as not taught anywhere else they didnt think it would be worth the effort apparently.

Certificate IV in Furniture Design and Technology - MSF40213-01V04-21CHE-080 - Coffs Harbour Education Campus CHEC - TAFE NSW

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TAFE doesn’t rewrite courses. They teach, as all VET RTO’s do, the courses listed on the training.gov website. The course content is formulated by industry consultation and TAFE has very little input in this process.
The course you are doing is Revision 4 2018. It may be that currently it is under industry review but certainly not by TAFE.

Gidday

With a family to support I woudn't go a mature age trade

I did a boiler makers appreticeship at 38 hot hard dirty work.................I could go on and on.............and on

There were only rare moments of trades romance doing a great job of the highest quality............and never fully making the money for myself the Boss always got the lion's share!

I really loved Tig Welding and got my 5G pressure ticket and made some good money doing this at one stage

But unless its your business and therefore your tools and other stuff your just a resource for your boss to print coin from

And its a huge leap to make it at scale building stuff

Indeed most blokes with a Brain are off the tools by their 40's and there always those close calls on job sites n such that take the shine off the journey

IF it were me I'd keep the magic by doing what you are doing now and maybe make to odd piece and hock it off to a likeable punter

Some great pieces for yourself family and the odd coin job! Nice...................its stays fun

A lot of blokes forget its just hard yakka lots a sweat close calls saw dust in the lungs and exposure to other nasties ...............N trust me most bosses wont care look after you or have your best

interests at heart your just a way to make money for them

Theres a lot better ways to make money using your Brain!

Sorry to put a dampner on things but unless your a gun with a chance to do some production runs at scale

i'd keep the magic where it is

What ever you decide all the very best of luck ................

Sincerely Lou

Originally Posted by dimithri

I love woodwork, but wouldn't want to work in a production environment.

Depends what kind of work you end up in. I was lucky to have a production environment that was at the high end of the market; mostly bespoke one-offs, but even the retail clients we made for had interesting product lines and the volume was in the 10s, rather than 100s.

Hi

I have just read all the replies and its not that I disagree with any of the comments per say, but I would like to add/clarify from my experience.
Firstly having a formal qualification from an Australian institution is still highly regarded overseas and imperative for employment in many overseas country's. This may not the case in England (they have their City of Guilds certification) but I was asked once. In the US and Canada they were always very impressed and I got every job I applied for purely because I think they were interested on what I could do and the fact I worked in metric (1993) and were puzzled by the system.
True story - I made a staircase in San Francisco and went to install it and the foreman and two tradies came with me. I thought they did not trust me, anyhow when I had finished the install with their help, the foreman says to me - 'I am shocked how it went together as this house was built using inches, and you made it in that metric thing' You can imagine my reaction!
However in Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Germany it was more difficult because their system is very regulated and super structured. But I was still employed and had a great time and learnt so much. My training in joinery in the late 1970's (stairmaking, windows, doors etc) had been excellent so working in these countries although different in styles, was easy to adapt.
But when it came to working in the Middle East in 2006 (Dubai and Saudi Arabia) at a senior supervisory role I would never have got my working visa without my Trade Certificate.
During the period 1995-2002 I worked in Sweden and ran my my own joinery and my qualifications had to be certified by the local authorities. When I wanted to put on a apprentice I was formally interviewed, needed references and did a skills test in front of a 'Master' to verify my ability. Their system is similar to ours but they also study business management which I thought was great. They normally study full time and have block release system with approved companies/masters. I only trained one apprentice in Sweden and I must say he was the best I have ever had.
So from my perspective having formal qualifications is always a good thing, especially if you want to travel and get experience. Having said that though I know many good tradies who have 'just picked it up' so to say.

Kevin