| [ Total Views: 767 | Total Replies: 17 | Thread Id: 59406 ] |
|
|
 MY1960
Casual Dubber
Posts: 29
Threads: 11
Registered: May 3rd, 2005
Member Is Offline
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
|
| posted on January 8th, 2007 at 08:27 AM |
|
|
Anyone over 30 doing an apprenticeship?
just wondering if anyone out there over 30 is doing an apprenticeship?
Looking at changing jobs. How did people go with the change, what did they do?
I know it will be a couple of steps back but looking at the long term.
|
|
|
shaihulud
Custom Title Time!
Posts: 1448
Threads: 197
Registered: November 4th, 2005
Member Is Offline
Location: Perth
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
|
| posted on January 8th, 2007 at 09:37 AM |
|
|
I did my degree, fulltime, when I was in my early thirties. It was great. I found that after years in the work force that it was really easy and I had
little sympathy for younger students who couldn't handle the work load. To me it was a pushover. I knew hard work when I saw it.
I worked it as a 9 to 5 job and started to fall by the wayside. The campus counsellor told me to get real, get drunk, get laid and get lost.
So I got involved in the other activities and clubs and being single, the place being full of younger hot and cold running women was a huge bonus.
I goofed off, wrote assignments over night at the last minute, spent time in the bar, wenched, and joined in with the other students.
I attended every lecture, tutorial and seminar, submitted all of my assignments on time and read the text books several times. If you are a reader,
read everything you can about your subjects. It makes it very easy.
I would say, go for it. You can make it into a very enjoyable time with definite job benefits after it's over.
|
|
|
amazeer
A.k.a.: Surly Duff
Bishop of Volkswagenism
Posts: 3029
Threads: 387
Registered: November 14th, 2005
Member Is Offline
Location: Wollongong
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: bitter
|
| posted on January 8th, 2007 at 10:11 AM |
|
|
similar thing. I was a fitter and did a computer science degree in my 30's. I agree you have to go for it if you arent fully enjoying your current
job. Glad I moved. no more money (at this point) than before but also no more shiftwork, no more heat, even the washing machine loves it... no more
grease.
I found it incredibly easy to PASS uni. In the beginning when I was heaps motivated I had to work hard to get the top marks I was getting. Then later
on I had so much stuff going on outside of uni I slacked off. I did the minimum amount of work it took to get good marks for assignments so that I
didnt need to get too many marks in exams. Exam came, I knew how many marks I needed, did the required amount of questions + a little safety barrier
and walked out. So I think its easy to just pass, but tough to get distinction average. When you are doing job applications for graduate positions,
they pretty much all want to know what your average is. To be confident of finding work when you finish I recommmend the hard slog.
Managing the change in career is probably dependant in part on where you get the first job. I havent had any problems and theres no way I would ever
want to go back to the steelworks. The only thing I miss is lunchtime euchre. Cool thing here is that if I ever get an itch, I can go up to level 7,
look out the window and see the old place, plus if the southerly is blowing I can smell it. Thats enough to scratch the itch.
 
|
|
|
Stanley
Compulsive Aussie Vee Dubber
I guess the reward is in the doing of it
Posts: 4523
Threads: 270
Registered: March 13th, 2003
Member Is Offline
Location: Karalee...near Ipswich Qld
Theme: UltimaBB Psyche Grey
Mood: caught a bolt of lightning cursed the day I let it go
|
| posted on January 8th, 2007 at 10:31 AM |
|
|
do it...you still have 30yrs of work remaining. Might as well do something you want.
My wife went back and did a hairdressing apprenticeship when she was 34. Not one of the ones you pay for either. Off to TAFE with all the 16-17yr
olds. She was female apprentice of the year at her TAFE.
|
|
|
1500S
Custom Title Time!
Posts: 1418
Threads: 73
Registered: March 28th, 2005
Member Is Offline
Location: Nth Richmond, N.S.W
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
|
| posted on January 8th, 2007 at 03:49 PM |
|
|
There are plenty of the "mature age" apprentices in the TAFE system. Go for it if you can. The 16 - 17 age group starters in many trades is
becoming a minority these days. I'm even contemplating a career change this year................ It's called retirement!!
DH
|
|
|
66deluxe
Custom Title Time!
Posts: 1593
Threads: 139
Registered: August 16th, 2005
Member Is Offline
Location: Murrumba Downs, Brisbane.
Theme: XMBX Pro Green
|
| posted on January 8th, 2007 at 05:16 PM |
|
|
Yep, just finished my apprenticeship in aviation engineering in september last year, i am 32 now, you get paid well due to your age i was making $600
clear in my 4th year, now i get $800 clear before overtime as a trady. go for it. Cheers Damo.
This is my Volkswagen, there are many like it, but this one is mine. Without me my Volkswagen is useless, without my Volkswagen, I am useless.
61 Karmann Ghia 2110cc type1 w Los Panchito's
66 Deluxe Beetle 2270 type 4
10 Subaru WRX Impreza
|
|
|
mackaymanx
A.k.a.: Brent
Custom Title Time!
Posts: 1611
Threads: 97
Registered: January 12th, 2006
Member Is Offline
Location: Mackay.QLD
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue
Mood: Brad'ed Off 
|
| posted on January 8th, 2007 at 05:20 PM |
|
|
I did this and didn't regret it, I turned thirty in the second year of my apprenticeship. It can be a bit of a culture shock going from a job you are
confident in to being a first year.
Quote of the week
"Do I wish to send them to you again, nope, no interest can't be bothered really, to much hassle for little or no return."
 |
|
|
Whitty
Seriously Crusin Dubber
Posts: 125
Threads: 28
Registered: September 29th, 2003
Member Is Offline
Location: Gladstone,Central Qld
Theme: XMBX Pro Green
Mood: so happy I could shit
|
| posted on January 8th, 2007 at 08:15 PM |
|
|
I'm starting next month as a 35 year old first year electrical apprentice. Been doing manual labour for 8 years (shiftwork in an aluminium smelter)
They put on 7 adults this year and 11 "kids" so I wont be on my own!! The best thing is, I keep the same wage I am on now, as a first year
apprentice. So I will be on over 60 grand doing my first year training!!! Sweet as a nut.:thumb
|
|
|
Kai.A.
Fahrvergnugen
Posts: 915
Threads: 76
Registered: September 29th, 2003
Member Is Offline
Location: Adelaide
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: dubless...
|
| posted on January 8th, 2007 at 09:04 PM |
|
|
it's really interesting to read this stuff.
i wasted my opportunity completely when i was studying, i got far too carried away with the having fun part and did very little work in the end, came
away with nothing and i've had shit jobs ever since....
but with a little maturity i reckon i could give it a much better go this time round. it's something i've been thinking about for a little while now
and as time goes by it seems like a better and better idea.
i'm 26, so i could potentially be fully trained in a new career of some sort by the time i'm 30.
i guess i just need to bite the bullet and pick a direction to go in.
kai
|
|
|
DUB54V
Seriously Crusin Dubber
Posts: 126
Threads: 3
Registered: September 26th, 2005
Member Is Offline
Location: sydney
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: happy-joy
|
| posted on January 8th, 2007 at 10:01 PM |
|
|
want my oppinion GO FOR IT! I started as a spray painter then got sick of that did metal fabrication (welding) and then drove my own tow truck for 3
and a half years and now im a house painter. iv spent most of working years in tafe and i think iv finally got it right.dont worry about the money
side of things it might be tough at the start its just patience and dedication..and you will make it.. JUU CAN DOOO IT!!:thumb
|
|
|
amazeer
A.k.a.: Surly Duff
Bishop of Volkswagenism
Posts: 3029
Threads: 387
Registered: November 14th, 2005
Member Is Offline
Location: Wollongong
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: bitter
|
| posted on January 8th, 2007 at 11:17 PM |
|
|
| Quote: | Originally
posted by Kai.A.
i guess i just need to bite the bullet and pick a direction to go in.
kai
|
thats what I found the hardest, picking the direction. I always wondered if I had of stayed at school, could I have gone to uni and got a degree. The
site I worked at in 1995 got closed down and I was transfered. I didnt want to go but didnt know what else to do. Took me 3 years to figure that out,
then 6 months of trying to get work to pay for my degree (didnt happen), then another six months of hassling for a voluntary redundancy payout. In the
end it was a good move, just took some time.
Jay_1965vw is another career changer, clothing designer to primary teaching. Hope she dont mind I dobbed her in. meeerh serves her right for straying
from the flock.
|
|
|
amazeer
A.k.a.: Surly Duff
Bishop of Volkswagenism
Posts: 3029
Threads: 387
Registered: November 14th, 2005
Member Is Offline
Location: Wollongong
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: bitter
|
| posted on January 8th, 2007 at 11:30 PM |
|
|
uh oh a double post... just call me Lee.
Uni tried to screw me over due to some shithouse wording in the requirements. I couldnt graduate with everyone else, that pissed me off. Then midway
through the next session they changed their minds/came to their senses and let me though. So I had to sit on sidelines for near 12 months without
work. In the meantime during my degree I was helping out primary teaching reading, maths and sport on a voluntary basis at my daughters school. So
then I wanted to do another second degree in teaching, but my comsci degree was too narrow in scope so they would only let me do secondary school
teaching. Which would suck with the shithead teenagers around these days so I didnt go ahead with it. Hmmm thats probably not relevant but I bin
drinking at a reunion hic
|
|
|
MY1960
Casual Dubber
Posts: 29
Threads: 11
Registered: May 3rd, 2005
Member Is Offline
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
|
| posted on January 9th, 2007 at 08:17 AM |
|
|
Thanks Guys. Was a bit concermed about the age thing as I am 35 but you have convinced me.
I defintely will have a chat with bother-in-law's mate who is plumber.
Have done a bit of weekend work for my brother-in-law in the past and have thoroughly enjoyed it. Shorts, t-shirt sonds great. Yeah the work is hard
in some instances, but all work has its hard areas.
|
|
|
Jay_1965vw
A.k.a.: Jay
Custom Title Time!
Chatting Babe
Posts: 1429
Threads: 102
Registered: August 26th, 2002
Member Is Offline
Location: Canberra
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: Blissed out on parenthood... and tired...
|
| posted on January 9th, 2007 at 11:35 AM |
|
|
| Quote: | Originally
posted by amazeer
Jay_1965vw is another career changer, clothing designer to primary teaching. Hope she dont mind I dobbed her in. meeerh serves her right for straying
from the flock.
|
Hmph. I read that :P
Yup I changed career at 29 or something. Fortunately I only had to do 1 year post graduate to become a primary teacher. Now... Unemployed primary
teacher!! Good thing 40% of teachers in Vic are over 50... not long til they are begging for younger teachers 
Part of Melbourne's Unreal Aircooled VW Community
|
|
|
phil
Seriously Crusin Dubber
Posts: 128
Threads: 10
Registered: March 1st, 2005
Member Is Offline
Location: wagga nsw
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
|
| posted on January 9th, 2007 at 11:56 AM |
|
|
i concurr...find something you like and go for it
i was 32 when i finished my degree...had a morgage, pregnant wife, and no income for twelve months of it..didn't do near enough work and survived on
passes..tertiary facilities don't want to fail a student..they make too much money out of them these days so as long as you make a reasonable attempt
you are bound to pass
likewise i occasionally have need to visit my old workplace and allways walk out thinking "thank christ"
just remember ..the grass is allways greener on the other side...i know plenty of doctors who are unhappy with their lot...sometimes a change of
attitude is just as good as a change of occupation
|
|
|
1500S
Custom Title Time!
Posts: 1418
Threads: 73
Registered: March 28th, 2005
Member Is Offline
Location: Nth Richmond, N.S.W
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
|
| posted on January 9th, 2007 at 02:39 PM |
|
|
>Good thing 40% of teachers in Vic are over 50... not long til they are begging for younger teachers <
TAFE NSW in Fitting and Machining has a worse percentage! During the early 80s, they took on bulk amounts of teachers and then with the down-turn in
manufacturing, there was an excess. Around 80% are now over 54!! However, the way the government thinks, they will only be taking new ones on with
contracts and thoughts are that it may only be teaching weeks plus a bit. Also, many companies want "watered down" tradesmen (oops!
tradespersons) so they are more locked into the one company. If only the big government etc concerns such as Railways, Garden Island/ADF, Cockatoo
Docks, Steel works etc who trained great numbers of apprentices were still around we wouldn't have shortages in these areas and that goes for
teaching as well.
Once again, many of us have changed careers over the years and it has all worked out for the best so go for it. For those with trade backgrounds, NSW
TAFE is still a great place to work and in the next few years they will have a great void to fill.
DH
|
|
|
adfit11
Casual Dubber
Posts: 31
Threads: 9
Registered: January 3rd, 2006
Member Is Offline
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
|
| posted on January 9th, 2007 at 09:07 PM |
|
|
My wife hope to be accepted for Primary Teaching at Uni this year at 35yo. Go for it mate. In 10 yrs you may regret it if you don't. I know it's
easy to say that from here. It's a big deal, especially if you have a house / kids / money pit VW, but you never hear people say "I went and got
trained and qualified. It was the worst thing I ever did".
|
|
|
1500S
Custom Title Time!
Posts: 1418
Threads: 73
Registered: March 28th, 2005
Member Is Offline
Location: Nth Richmond, N.S.W
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
|
| posted on February 18th, 2008 at 10:47 AM |
|
|
| Quote: | Originally
posted by 1500S
>Good thing 40% of teachers in Vic are over 50... not long til they are begging for younger teachers <
TAFE NSW in Fitting and Machining has a worse percentage! During the early 80s, they took on bulk amounts of teachers and then with the down-turn in
manufacturing, there was an excess. Around 80% are now over 54!! However, the way the government thinks, they will only be taking new ones on with
contracts and thoughts are that it may only be teaching weeks plus a bit. Also, many companies want "watered down" tradesmen (oops!
tradespersons) so they are more locked into the one company. If only the big government etc concerns such as Railways, Garden Island/ADF, Cockatoo
Docks, Steel works etc who trained great numbers of apprentices were still around we wouldn't have shortages in these areas and that goes for
teaching as well.
Once again, many of us have changed careers over the years and it has all worked out for the best so go for it. For those with trade backgrounds, NSW
TAFE is still a great place to work and in the next few years they will have a great void to fill.
DH
|
Do you remember this post!!??
All seems to be as many of us thought. NSW TAFE now doesn't require teachers to do any Uni quals if you don't want to! Seems that is only needed
if the "teacher" wants promotion. All that is required is the Cert 4 instruction cert to teach which is all that is needed for part time teachers
in the system.
The next step will be that they change the name to A.F.E and leave the "T" out of it as it is obvious that they are trying to get rid of the
"expensive" Technical trade areas.
Any other states under this new system of teacher selection/training?
DH
|
|
|
