Retraining at 35 and working

humey86

I hold relatively well paid job, colleagues are good, benefits are good but its shifts (hence the pay) and it really is boring me. I came from a more hands on maintenance/technical role in my previous position (I left due to hating my colleagues, constant negativity, racism, sexism etc) to this which I thought would be similar as it holds the same job title. I really need to use my hands and feel like Ive done some graft to feel good about myself. 

I am quite handy and have renovated our house, converted a campervan including all electrics, kitchen building etc and also have a passion for woodworking. I would love to be involved in carpentry or cabinet making as a job. We cant afford for me to drop wage and go into an apprenticeship but I do get 2 weeks off every 5 so could commit to something then.

Has anyone had any experience in a change of career in later life? Any suggestions for a path to follow? Am I being 'grass is greener'?

Jude57

My niece did just this. She'd left school with a handful of average O Levels and had worked in admin since then, moving from job to job, temping occasionally and always living in rented accommodation. She got to 40 and decided she wanted a career as a dietitian. Enrolled for a full time degree, taking advantage of the funding support available from the NHS, and got a supermarket job where she could do as many hours as she wanted which was ideal as she could be pretty much full time outside term time and save a little bit of cash to cover her costs. She graduated with First Class honours and, ten years on, works in a hospital in a nice coastal town and has bought her first house.

She'd say it's been a lot of hard work but ultimately well worth the effort she put in. She'd also say that she couldn't have done her degree at 18 because she just wasn't ready. Healthcare careers aren't for everyone but it worked for my niece.

I'd say that if you're prepared to tighten your belt and put the work into getting qualified and established in a new career, bearing in mind you will likely be managed by younger people as you're starting out, it's never TOO late.

Why not have a word with your local careers service, your nearest vocational college or apprentice training provider? You might need to be creative in looking for solutions to earning while learning but it can be done.

I'm sure others will have ideas too. Good luck!

kimwp

I think you will do well financially if you go into a trade like plumber or electrician, they are always in demand. If you are good at carpentry, do you need to do an apprenticeship? You could advertise as a handyman and see what interest you get. 

humey86

kimwp said:

I think you will do well financially if you go into a trade like plumber or electrician, they are always in demand. If you are good at carpentry, do you need to do an apprenticeship? You could advertise as a handyman and see what interest you get. 

interesting, It probably just taking that leap. Maybe do a few jobs for friends and family to get name out?

Marcon

humey86 said:

kimwp said:

I think you will do well financially if you go into a trade like plumber or electrician, they are always in demand. If you are good at carpentry, do you need to do an apprenticeship? You could advertise as a handyman and see what interest you get. 

interesting, It probably just taking that leap. Maybe do a few jobs for friends and family to get name out?

Just that. You'll now get a load of people on this thread warning you about insurance and all sorts of other issues, so in the interests of protecting yourself, think about a simple written agreement if you do any work for payment.

Jude57

You might benefit from some small business advice. Your local authority might have a local enterprise team advising newly self employed people, mine does. They run free courses to help you set up and run your own business.  Alternatively, a search for 'small business advice (your location)' might give you some ideas.

And just to say, I have about 30 (seriously!) small handyman type jobs that need doing, held over since the first lockdown and I can't find a good handyman service to do them until next year.