Learning a new trade whilst still working?

russxiii

Hi MSER's

Im currently employed by an oil terminal and my plans for the future are to go travelling (in 3 years) im saving up roughly 15-20k so i can attempt to spend a few years travelling. In my current position i have no real training and I really landed on my feet when i got this job.

I came from an apprenticeship doing Telecommunications Engineering to this. I dont really have any qualifications other than GCSE's and an A level. Plus some of my NVQ, of which i didnt finish due to leaving my apprenticeship (it was for double the wage and less stress from an annoying manager).

Im torn between learning Fitness or something in computing. I love both, i play sport all year round and had a real passion for sports and fitness. However i feel this fading with me not being able to attend all the sports events i once was. I feel the best career path would be to move to something withing the computing industry.


Right, round to the question i need help with......

• Realistically could i learn a trade in 2-3 years? (preferably with computers, however if you have good suggestions feel free to suggest them)
• If so how would i go about it? I work 12 hour shifts on a shift rota....the rota is as follows. (NNNN OOO DDD O NNN OOO DDD then 2 weeks off) N=nights O=off D=days.

I'v heard about learning from home and part time courses etc but i really haven't a clue where to go or who to speak to to obtain these.

As its nearly September i want to get things moving on this real quickly so i dont miss out and then have even less time to get some plans in place for when i come back to the UK after travelling.

Any feedback is much appreciated as long as its not trolling.

Thanks MSER's



p.s feel free to subscribe if you wish, im going to update this on any progress i get.

saintjammyswine

It sounds as though where you work falls within the remit of the ECITB (Engineering Construction Industry Training Board). It would be worth contacting them (google) or your employer as if the employer falls within their scope then legally they have to pay a levy to the ECITB which goes towards training costs etc. It may be that there is a course available from an ECITB approved centre that matches what you want to do.

russxiii

thanks for that. Took a look and its definately interesting. However its not really what i want to do.

I want something that im driven to do and enjoy. Right now its just a boring job that i have no aspirations for at all. I hate working here. Unfortunately im in a position that i dont actually have any training and cant really re-locate or apply for any other jobs like this. Theres really nothing to go on my CV except iv worked here, which tbh isn't that much of a string to my bow.

saintjammyswine

What are you looking to do, either in work or type of training?

Mistral001

Is there a possiblity of getting computer-related job with your present employer? If there is, perhaps you could look at what they require by way of qualifications.

With regard to the fitness jobs, check out the pay. I get the impression that it is a very low-pay sector. Lots of students on placement year from college/university etc.

russxiii

tbh im pretty open to ideas. When travelling i'll be doing a whole bunch of stuff from bars to cleaning im assuming, i'll literally do anything to get some cash so i can move on to the next place.

But as for work when/if i come back....i dont know. I work in an office on computers maintaining stock control and help run the day to day supervising of the site/drivers (although my job is 'CONTROLLER' not 'SUPERVISOR').

I would like something universal that i could take with me across the world. I was going to follow in my fathers footsteps as a Truck driver, just so i had something to fall back on. However it isn't universal....i can't use an english passport in Australia and the U.S etc. So a HGV licence is out of the question.

As i say, im good with computers and designed a few HTML websites when i was a kid and i found that SOOO interesting. I also am very fit and thoroughly enjoy sports and coaching. Something that would satisfy me also is making a difference to someones life. Some sort of care work would go down fine.

At the moment im just trying to scope out whether i want too much in such a short space of time or if something can be done. I'm living very comfortabley on 24k, still living with parents, paying rent and i have a very small outlay. I have calculated what it would be like living on my own (very in depth, because i was due to move out 4 months ago but it fell through) and i could live fine off my wage. I wouldnt have too much left over but i could live happily. I have a girlfriend and we are going to be travelling together and she will be a qualified teacher in 3 years (hence the 3yrs till travelling).

Ideally i would like a job that pays this sort of wage when i get back. Wouldnt hesitate if i was offered a job i love for a 4-5k paycut however.


I'm thinking of training in computers mainly, software/websites etc. but is this unrealistic? would i be able to get on these sorts of course with no A level's etc? or will i have to do feeder courses etc first?

Sorta dont really know where to go now but i know i need/want something to fill my time off. something worthwhile

BTW i sincerely appreciate any interest shown in this topic. Im at a real crossroads in my life and i want to make sure im best prepared.

saintjammyswine

Try phoning Next Step. They give careers and training advice and are very good. As a College, we use their services for people who come to us with literally no clue what they want to study/do for work.

russxiii

Mistral001 wrote: »

Is there a possiblity of getting computer-related job with your present employer? If there is, perhaps you could look at what they require by way of qualifications.

With regard to the fitness jobs, check out the pay. I get the impression that it is a very low-pay sector. Lots of students on placement year from college/university etc.

Yeh im going to take a good look into that sector. I know personal trainers pay varies gastranomically and its all about who you know.

I work at a terminal and were sub-contracted out by Total. Who are in turn selling at the time being....so we're up for sale. There is 0% chance of any other jobs other than ones in the terminal, of which there wont be any planned vacancies for another 3 years....slap bang on when im planning on departing.

jm2926

You can study with the Open University with no entry requirements:


http://www3.open.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/computing-and-ict/index.htm

russxiii

im 20 still too so that would qualify me help from connexions too wouldnt it?

Mistral001

russxiii wrote: »

tbh im pretty open to ideas. When travelling i'll be doing a whole bunch of stuff from bars to cleaning im assuming, i'll literally do anything to get some cash so i can move on to the next place.

But as for work when/if i come back....i dont know. I work in an office on computers maintaining stock control and help run the day to day supervising of the site/drivers (although my job is 'CONTROLLER' not 'SUPERVISOR').

I would like something universal that i could take with me across the world. I was going to follow in my fathers footsteps as a Truck driver, just so i had something to fall back on. However it isn't universal....i can't use an english passport in Australia and the U.S etc. So a HGV licence is out of the question.

As i say, im good with computers and designed a few HTML websites when i was a kid and i found that SOOO interesting. I also am very fit and thoroughly enjoy sports and coaching. Something that would satisfy me also is making a difference to someones life. Some sort of care work would go down fine.

At the moment im just trying to scope out whether i want too much in such a short space of time or if something can be done. I'm living very comfortabley on 24k, still living with parents, paying rent and i have a very small outlay. I have calculated what it would be like living on my own (very in depth, because i was due to move out 4 months ago but it fell through) and i could live fine off my wage. I wouldnt have too much left over but i could live happily. I have a girlfriend and we are going to be travelling together and she will be a qualified teacher in 3 years (hence the 3yrs till travelling).

Ideally i would like a job that pays this sort of wage when i get back. Wouldnt hesitate if i was offered a job i love for a 4-5k paycut however.


I'm thinking of training in computers mainly, software/websites etc. but is this unrealistic? would i be able to get on these sorts of course with no A level's etc? or will i have to do feeder courses etc first?

Sorta dont really know where to go now but i know i need/want something to fill my time off. something worthwhile

BTW i sincerely appreciate any interest shown in this topic. Im at a real crossroads in my life and i want to make sure im best prepared.

Ah I see. Plans need to be fully discussed with gf. then. Most teachers I know would not even think of taking a year out after qualifying as getting jobs are so so difficult these days.