Suggestions for career change

[Deleted User]

My OH is currently thinking about a possible career change. He is late 30's and pretty much unskilled. For the last 15 years he has had quite a niche job working with birds. Its a job he enjoys but also comes with a lot of set backs, which I won't go into as it will end up turning into a rant!

Its coming to a point where the love of the job is being outweighed by all the rubbish that comes with it and he is seriously considering leaving to do something else.

So my question is, what suggestions and/or advice would you give for someone in his position? Has anyone been through something similar and can recommend any ideas for what sort of jobs he could go into? He enjoys working outdoors, and can pretty much put his hand to anything, although nothing office based! As his current job is not high paid he doesn't have high salary expectations, although it would be nice if he had a job that could offer him further earning potential.

lincroft1710

No offence (and you're probably underselling him!) but it doesn't sound as if he has much to offer an employer. If he is unskilled, then he's probably going to be looking at mundane, minimum wage jobs. If he likes working outdoors, then perhaps try something like a garden centre.

Or could he become self employed as a gardener, handyman or window cleaner, for example?

phildixon1

Could he do something along the lines of what he is doing already (as he enjoys it) but for himself?

Samsung_Note2

Might be worth looking into Plant work...ADT license is only about £1000 and pays reasonable at £15 ish hourly or Telescopic Forklift bit more expensive but pays a higher rate depending where your based.

Id say security as its cheap to get Badged and start work..but pay is pretty awful..but long hours kind of balances that up.

[Deleted User]

Thanks for the replies. And I appreciate I probably haven't sold him all that well!

The problem with doing what he is doing but on his own is there is just no money in it. His boss is very successful in it because he has got a contract with a big corporate company and he has the money to invest in large rare birds.

I was thinking more along the lines of perhaps learning a trade, perhaps something thats in demand. He did mention being interested in going into tree surgery but i think that is becoming more and more competitive.

jonnygee2

I was thinking more along the lines of perhaps learning a trade, perhaps something thats in demand.

The best way to find out what trades are 'in demand' is to approach reputable local firms and ask if they have apprenticeships going. The truth is, for interested people who work hard, there's very often an apprenticeships going in most trades.

theoretica

Also consider what sort of working life he wants. Does he want to be called out at all hours for an extra charge or have steady hours and a steady wage?

Sovngarde

Deleted_User wrote: »

My OH is currently thinking about a possible career change. He is late 30's and pretty much unskilled. For the last 15 years he has had quite a niche job working with birds. Its a job he enjoys but also comes with a lot of set backs, which I won't go into as it will end up turning into a rant!

Its coming to a point where the love of the job is being outweighed by all the rubbish that comes with it and he is seriously considering leaving to do something else.

So my question is, what suggestions and/or advice would you give for someone in his position? Has anyone been through something similar and can recommend any ideas for what sort of jobs he could go into? He enjoys working outdoors, and can pretty much put his hand to anything, although nothing office based! As his current job is not high paid he doesn't have high salary expectations, although it would be nice if he had a job that could offer him further earning potential.

Saw replies to this and went :eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

Your OH sounds like the perfect groundsman, gardener, maintenance / general jack of all trades for places like small farms or petting zoos, animal rescue / welfare centres that might have picnic areas, woodland walks, trails and simple outdoor activities to tag on with the centre's day to day care of the animals.

Young lad in his late 20's is a gardener for 12th century abbey ruins and gardens and loves it - does a brilliant job actually because he's not hassled or stressed and put under pressure to be sociable and chatty he just gets on with this job and does it spot on.

We have been helping a small farm get off the ground and turn its current digs into holiday lets / weekend riding holidays and building an adventure trail, playground and habitat.

Local schools, community centres and care homes are often looking for a general handyman / maintenance and all round fettler of things for outside and fixing.

Check out all local jobs and find out what's going on in the area including volunteering project work as well they will all lead to other stuff on the go and trust me there is always a need for a handy-man like yours :D

AleksanderLon

It may be worthwhile for OH to go to a company that raises qualifications. They will give him tests and at least he will know in which industry he should work and improve his qualifications.

My friend did this in London and today is a PR manager in a larger company.