Dead end job. Considering an apprenticeship

TightMike

This is my first post, been lurking for a few days and I find this forum (in particular the money section) really interesting. I've been saving up for the last couple of years for a deposit on a house so will no doubt be using that section quite a bit in the future.

Anyway, a bit about me. I'm 21 (in a few days) and I've been working part time nights at Tesco for 1.5 years. I'm only contracted to 11 hours but every month I've been working there I've managed to get a fair bit of overtime and the last few months I've been working pretty much full time.

I quite enjoy the job, which could be considered a problem because it's took me 1.5 years to start looking for alternative careers! I'm getting a bit too comfy, I don't mind the job at all. In fact I quite like it, I'm probably the only person on nights that does. I can completely lose myself when left on my own down an aisle filling shelves, my mind goes all over the place, I think about all sorts, plans for the weekend, what car I want to buy next, what motorbike I want to buy next, mostly I think about money lol. Anyway I'm going off on a tangent here. I am not management material, I never will be. I'm quiet and can't talk comfortably in groups so climbing the ladder is not an option.

I'm thinking of doing an apprenticeship. I've literally spent hours thinking about it but I don't know what I want to do. I'm thinking along the lines of a mechanical engineer or something like that. Now obviously I know YOU can't chose my apprenticeship for me, I'm not expecting it on a plate, I'm just interested to see what options there are i.e. what jobs are expanding and will be good in the future, what jobs have ok pay etc.

I understand it's quite a vague question but I'm just looking for ideas to get the ball rolling.

Thank you!

Edit: I should also add I went to Sixth Form studying Business, IT, Psychology and Geography, and I don't really want to do anything IT related so really my A-levels are probably not that useful.

saintjammyswine

Depending on location, skills and previous qualifications, the HEavy Engineering & Construction sector is expanding at the moment with the likes of Hinkley B being approved in the West Country, ECITB (google it) would be your best start.

It may be worth contacting your local FE College that offers apprenticeships and having a chat with their student services or employer engagement departments about what areas are currently recruiting or likely to in the near future. They will liaise with many employers in a variety of industries and may be able to advise you.

Without knowing a little more it is difficult to help beyond generalising really, sorry.

National Careers Service have a representative on these board who is very good and may be able to help further. Or you could contact them direct.

With regards pay for apprentices, Engineering is one area that usually pays above min. wage and is more structured/formal in the way they do things. You could look at the large utilities companies who will advertise their programmes on their websites.

Also, look for larger engineering companies such as aerospace or motor vehicle manufacturers who may do the same.

mrcow

I don't really know about apprentiships, but you seem to really enjoy what you do. Have you thought about perhaps moving to a depot of one of the major supermarkets and working shifts there? You can do your forklift training etc. and there are certainly lots of options. You don't need to be management, but can move into stock control, purchasing, quality management etc.

And the pay isn't bad if you don't mind shift work (which it seems that you don't).

AllSpent

Why not look at the City & Guilds website, and get an idea of what courses/careers are available. Also, as someone mentioned, New Career Skills is a good resource.

bugslet

I have no idea if this is any good, but I'll throw it into the pot so to speak.

A friend's son did an apprenticeship with Scania, four years altogether. Pay is rubbish in the first year, probably about equivalent to JSA. But it is an excellent course, transferrble skills to other makes of truck though obviously you will be well-versed in Scania quirks.

Not always the most popular of jobs, but that means you can always find work.

TightMike

Thanks I'll have a look at these sites. Certainly something here to start the ball rolling!

fishforsale

Look into building surveying or quantity surveying

easy as pie degrees and wages higher then engineering wages

harrys_dad

I would not write yourself off as "not management material" just yet. You have "A" levels, a good attitude to work, and enjoy what you do. Tesco run a good management training scheme, why not talk to someone about it.

Cycrow

your still quite young, and as you like what your doing then why not give management there a shot.
get yourself on options at tescos, starting looking at become a team leader then management training.

you might find you can do it just fine and if you really struggled then you could start looking for something else. And it will also give you some time to think what else you might want to do

i know a few tesco managers who are pretty quiet and it didn't really stop them.

if theres any managers you get on with well, then speak to them about advancement