"Apprenticeships" in the construction industry

GothicStirling

auldblerk wrote: »

Don't just sweep 50 years old under the carpet like they are not fit to work, I know plenty of fit 50 year olds !

But would you hire them? The construction industry is labour-intensive, and the older we get the less energetic we are, and more prone to injury. Heck, I'm in my 30s and I used to work in huge kitchens, I don't think I have the energy anymore, and why I'm retraining for heritage/museum work.

auldblerk

I understand what you mean but there is a fundamental issue here, a problem that will grow as people live longer .. the Government still expect another 16 years of work out of me .. will I be hod carrying or putting up scaffolding at 60 ? and what about the 20 year old of today ? .. will he be doing the same at 70 ?

saintjammyswine

auldblerk wrote: »

I understand what you mean but there is a fundamental issue here, a problem that will grow as people live longer .. the Government still expect another 16 years of work out of me .. will I be hod carrying or putting up scaffolding at 60 ? and what about the 20 year old of today ? .. will he be doing the same at 70 ?

But the 20yr old of today may have completed an apprenticeship, be qualified and now working full time.

With their qualifications and experience, it is more likely they will be off the tools and either owning their own business or in a senior management position by their 50's. That is assuming they stay within the industry.

Extract from Skills Funding Agency news article today...
"According to new research, one in five employers currently have a former apprentice working in a senior management (board level) role.

The findings, released to launch the third annual City & Guilds Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers list, highlight the commitment of employers to promoting former apprentices through the ranks. 33% of all employers questioned said apprentices go on to various management positions in their company."

Dunroamin

auldblerk wrote: »

I understand what you mean but there is a fundamental issue here, a problem that will grow as people live longer .. the Government still expect another 16 years of work out of me .. will I be hod carrying or putting up scaffolding at 60 ? and what about the 20 year old of today ? .. will he be doing the same at 70 ?

Most people who do hard manual work look at making a sideways move or completely retraining when they find they can't cope physically any more.

auldblerk

Dunroamin wrote: »

Most people who do hard manual work look at making a sideways move or completely retraining when they find they can't cope physically any more.

Yes, that would be great in an ideal world and bountiful jobs but there's a recession on and there's little chance of moving sideways, upwards or any direction and nobody (not even the government) knows how long the recession will last.

Dunroamin

auldblerk wrote: »

Yes, that would be great in an ideal world and bountiful jobs but there's a recession on and there's little chance of moving sideways, upwards or any direction and nobody (not even the government) knows how long the recession will last.

Until you've tried you won't know - being negative gets nobody anywhere.

auldblerk

I'm not being negative, I'm being realistic.

saintjammyswine

If there are no jobs in the industry and you are experienced, time served in a trade, have you thought about coming over to the dark side and teaching your trade?