Too old for an apprenticeship?

TeamPlum

Hi,

I'm 29, working as an assistant in the NHS - though looks like my department is about to close down. I've been seriously thinking about moving into an actual career where I can provide for my family properly.

Having a trade would be good - plumber, electrician - thing is, have I left it too late? Would anything even think of training someone my age? I think they'd have to pay me more minimum wage wise so I can't see it happening.

Anyone have experience of this?

Scapegoat101

No one is too old for a apprenticeship. Its just a legal employment formality. It enables a employer to hire you at slave prices basically. £3.30 a hour to be precise for the 1st year and then £6.70 after.

Most employers won't be looking for over 25's specifically so you will have to find yourself a job and sell yourself cheap.

I personally don't think getting into construction is a good idea at the moment because the economy is going into a recession. Your best off moving into job sectors which are replacing others. Automatised Engineering, Computing and Recycling.

Darksparkle

Scapegoat101 wrote: »

No one is too old for a apprenticeship. Its just a legal employment formality. It enables a employer to hire you at slave prices basically. £3.30 a hour to be precise for the 1st year and then £6.70 after

It'd be £7.20 after the first year.

emsywoo123

Scapegoat101 wrote: »

No one is too old for a apprenticeship. Its just a legal employment formality. It enables a employer to hire you at slave prices basically. £3.30 a hour to be precise for the 1st year and then £6.70 after.

I get so bored of reading this. That is the minimum wage, not absolutely what you would get. Also, this is because you are learning; it is a training wage. As mentioned below, it will not be £6.70 in the second year either.

Most employers won't be looking for over 25's specifically so you will have to find yourself a job and sell yourself cheap.

Rubbish.

I personally don't think getting into construction is a good idea at the moment because the economy is going into a recession. Your best off moving into job sectors which are replacing others. Automatised Engineering, Computing and Recycling.

Aren't you just a ray of sunshine.

thisuseridistakenagain

I had a similar thought recently but I've found that unfortunately yes, I am too old for a 'goverment backed' apprenticeship- which are the ony ones I can find. The age is 16-24, I think that companies who offer the goverment schemes get a cut of the cost back for training young people so thats all I seem to be able to find.

The best way would probably be to approach a college for advice because I think its unlikely that you would get a paid position with no training whatsoever. Its more likely to be an apprenticeship via a college or approach some local companies directly and see what they say.

Also I think someone mentioned above - If you are hoping to support yourself on the wage its unlikely, the ones I've seen are 100 quid a week, minimum wage doesn't apply as it isn't a classed as job its a training course. The money is just to cover travel etc.

TeamPlum

Thanks,

Seemingly a rubbish situation to be stuck in. You've worked in an unskilled job - have some bad luck, but have little to no recourse to retrain in anything skilled.

Still, musn't grumble.

Firetastic

This really annoys me. It's like when you reach a certain age you are thrown on the scrapheap. I think apprenticeships should be more accessible to all ages not just the young.