Change of Career Advice Needed

chrisb1357

Hi all,

Wanted some advice from people on here. I have worked in an office based job now for 9 years and looking for a change of career into the Construction Industry. I am 27 years old and still in fulltime work so not sure how that will plan out i.e getting an on the job training inc NVQ at a local college etc. I did start a Apprenticeship with a local company via the CITB when i left school at 16 but i had to drop out a year after starting due to personal issues and now lookign back i wished i had stayed in the trade.

We live in our own place at the min so i am not sure if going fulltime college would be a good idea unless i have a job in the trade also and 1 day a week at college

If anyone can offer me any advice or tips

Chris

Oldernotwiser

Have you looked to see whether the course you want to do is available in the evenings? Studying a course like this full time is rarely a good option for adults.

chrisb1357

I have not looked yet as still lookign for what subjects i want to learn. I have emailed the CITB and will look at local collage

Chris

GEEGEE8

I currently study the National Certificate in Construction and Civil Engineering. I started out wanting construction but quickly changed to Civil Eng. because it's way cooler !
I am 26 and just finishing my first year.
I work full time and go college one day a week, so it's 6 days in total and lots of homework.
Year 1 & 2 National Certificate
Year 3 & 4 HNC
Year 5,6,7 Degree

Once you have your HNC I think it's easier to get a job in the trade.

If you earn under £15,050 (last years rates) then you get the course for free, just £150 admin costs. Otherwise its £1,000 a year. Can pay in installments.

Hope that helps, I love my course and with it being part time the other guys on the course are similar age to me.

Gem

chrisb1357

Cheers for the info and advice,

Well i dont have great GCSE's and i dont hold any NVQ's. When i did start an NVQ when i was 16 it was in plumbing and i enjoyed it

Chris

GEEGEE8

Do you have relevant experience?
At 27 you are classed as a mature student (unfortunately ) and so you may get in without qualification if you are deemed to be able to deal with the course.
Open days are around about now, so I would act fast and get something sorted for this September..

chrisb1357

Well no experiance for a while. Only worked in IT for 8 years you see and getting a bit bored of it

Chris

GEEGEE8

My dad is a builder, and I said I worked with him on a few projects, which I did, but to be honest, I've found people from all backgrounds on the course and it's made no difference. I'm top of the class and get merits/distinctions in everything, so I don't thin experience matters, just blag it if you are happy that you can cope.

Maths is something you will need to get into, but people on my course are awful at maths but they get by.. depends how good your tutor is and the rest of the class with helping eachother etc..

chrisb1357

Well i think my Maths will be an issue. I have very bad Maths and English grades

GEEGEE8

Well, they do teach you at about GCSE level I think, but you may still get on the course if you show that you can work hard.
Do you think you could do GCSE maths level, or are you really bad with maths? The maths I've done isn't too hard just to pass. One of the lads on my course did his GCSE maths again before starting, but I think he would have been okay anyway to be honest.. he was really worried about it though, but we have all pulled eachother through the year.

chrisb1357

My maths is ok. I seem to got though the entrance test when i left school ok with my bad maths then so its about the same now maybe a little better.

What course do you do again

Chris