Getting a new career?

ironman1

Hello all,

I know there are many people in the same boat but my question is what is the best way for someone to get into a new job, something different with prospects?

I'm nearly 24 and have been in the building trade since leaving school. I really want to do something different, even if it's a different type of building job! I have savings but also have a mortgage. I would consider paying for a course but how can someone be out of work and pay bills at the same time?

I consider myself quite hardworking but am sick of getting the same wage every week or worse, getting less because there is no work or getting laid off.

I realise i'm not in a position to complain as at least I have a job but I just want to earn more and work my way forward.

As I said i'm almost 24 and live in London with my fiance in a half buy half rent place, the bills etc are quite expensive and she couldn't afford to pay everything on her own. I just don't know how to go about this. Am I meant to stay in an unhappy job just because I'm getting paid?!

I've got a few grand saved up but it soon goes. I hope someone is or has been in the same position as me... And please don't think i'm being and ungrateful idiot, I realise I should be happy to be in work etc.

Thanks for any advice.

Oldernotwiser

Depending on what you want to do, most training courses will be available in the evenings, enabling you to work as well as going to college. If you don't already have a level 2 or 3 qualification, they will also be free.

ironman1

I've got a Level 2 in engineering. I then done ducting for three years as an improver but they never made me up to a fitter, probably because they didn't want to pay for it.

That was two years ago. Ever since then i've gone back to bricklaying which I did when I was 17. I'm now sick of it and there is not much work about. Not to mention getting rained off etc. I just can't afford to not know if or when I have work now I've moved in with someone.

Really stuck for what I even want to do... Thanks for the reply

David_Brent

ironman1 wrote: »

Am I meant to stay in an unhappy job just because I'm getting paid?!QUOTE]


I have asked myself this question before also...

But the answer to your question is 'No', but think how much more un-happy would be be unemployed?

It does sound like you need a change of career but make sure you find a replacement job, before leaving any job you may currently have.

Have you any ideas of what may interest you?

ironman1

Not really! I've only ever known building work. I live in London so I know there are jobs about but I already feel at 23 like im stuck in a rut!

pancreas

In the same boat.

Little older, not happy, need a change but what?

I have kept the same job, still earning but I have started an OU degree in business. Whilst the degree is quite vague in terms of relating it to an occupation, i'm sure it wil improve my CV & does make u feel better knowing that in a couple of years there may be an option - a good option!

A friend was a builder. He applied for a job with NHBC. They put him through college and he gained an HNC in building & now he's steadily moving up the ranks!

ironman1

Another thing that may get in the way is quite recently I started fainting, it happened a few times and I was advised I wouldn't be able to drive any more, not for a while anyway. It hasn't affected by building work as living in London 99% of the time I've been working on site (travelling by train).

teabelly

How about learning other building skills eg plastering? You'd be indoors then There's also kitchen fitting, carpentry etc. You could then start doing odd jobs for friends and family and building up a business in your spare time so you can infill quiet times at work. Natural progression from building is doing it self employed or going into property renovation. Do you have any well off friends?? There's also building project management. Managing shop fitting and renovations etc which might be a good next step.

ironman1

Good ideas but as I said probably before you saw my post, I can't drive for a while, not even sure for how long. Being self employed in terms of private work could be ****ed because of that. Im gutted about it but not much I can do. I sold the car about a year ago anyway but now knowing I CAN'T drive is a choker in terms of work!

teabelly

Oh that's a bit of a bummer Can you have one of those invalid carriages with a small trailer instead? I hope you find out why you have been fainting and get it fixed so you can drive again.

ironman1

Haha, well It hasn't affected my work so far but I know it could put me back in the future, not the end of the world but annoying!