So, to cut a long story short, I've served 12 years in the Army but am thinking of leaving. I'd like to do a vehicle based apprenticeship (not sure who with). Who's done one, who was it with, what was it like, was it worth it etc. all info welcome, cheers guys.

 

My lads just gone down to Bovington, well done Pee for being in it that long mate, id stay in surely its better ?

Cant help on apprenticeships, but as your an army mechanic wouldn't you be best off doing HGVs etc, or even better like i saw at Bovington go with for that sub contractor company that do all the tanks etc Babcocks ?

 

I work on the buildings (persimmon homes) and they are training joiners and bricklayers like your self that have retired from the forces. Your best bet is seeing which companies are working with the forces to get people in trades. You are always laughing with your pension so make sure you pick the right place that will give you best hands on experience so when you learn you can earn

 

A long time ago I served in the Royal Engineers, my trade was a plant fitter. After my resettlement course (I took vehicle electronics) the 1st job I got on leaving was at a Ford garage. It was like starting all over again and took a lot of adjustment but that was my job for the next 15 years until I decided to do something different.


You just have to knock on doors until someone gives you a chance.


All the best

 

Thanks mate. Bovvi is a good place, nice part of the country down there too! Tbh, it's something I've thought about for a while. I have seen the Army go through a lot of transformations but unfortunately it has changed for the worse. You now have 80,000 blokes doing the work of what was 105,000 odd and it shows a lot, especially in my Corps (Royal Engineers). Couple this with the fact that everything is based around budget cuts and saving money and it doesn't make for a good workplace (IMO). The difference between this and a civilian company making cuts is that the Army is your life, you live and breathe it and there is no escaping it.

I'd like to work with cars, stuff on a smaller scale. I also want nothing military related. I'd like to move completely away from the Army.

 

When are you thinking of coming out?

 

I know the companies you mean mate. There are quite a lot of them about (thankfully ) there are a lot of jobs available but I'd love to get into a decent automotive company and progress from there. I know I'd have to start from the bottom and I know it's going to be a culture shock for me, but if that in turn leads to a bright future, then I'm more than willing to take the plunge

How long was you in for? I'm a POM but don't really have much interest in the trade anymore, and I know I'm NOWHERE near the operating standard required in civvie street lol!

 

I'd sign off in the next few weeks mate, so I'd be out in about 9 months or so

 

I did 9 years, left home at 16 and went to Dover as a Junior Leader (that would give you an idea of my vintage)

 

I had to give a years notice, civvies don't know they're born

 

You will either need to get your own job as a mechanic and ask your employer to support you through an apprenticeship programme if you go to your local college (with a motor vehicle dept) you will get help and advice on jobs if you can't find a workplace or use the national apprenticeship website known as NAVM's to find a job. As you will be over 19 yrs old there is a levy of £900.00 beware if this is your first apprenticeship you made need to negotiate the £3.30 per hour.
My local college in Devon has an abundance of jobs in all apprenticeship areas - so your local college would be similar to opportunities
Good luck

 

What sort of help do you get, to prepare you for life outside the forces

Is it good/helpful - one would hope that it is after you have potentially put your life on the line

 

The help you would get would be to fill a vacancy! However well done for serving your queen and country I hope your proud of your achievements. Are you not able to get support from the services to help with adjusting to civilian life and a cerear?

 

Doesn't sound much help tbh

 

I'm sure that this won't be a popular point of view.

But why should you get help after you quit your job

No ****** ever gave me anything after quiting several jobs, I had to go out and find whatever I could, but hey that's life out in the real world.

Sorry pal, but Army etc, is a career choice, just like any other, I don't see what makes you or anyone else a special case.

P.S not getting at you personally but it's not as if you were a conscript ripped from another profession and shoved into the military, it was your choice.

 

The Army isn't just a 'job'. It's a lifestyle. Please don't confuse it with a 9-5. It is totally different to civilian life in almost every respect and it takes a lot to adjust when you leave. The Army has realised this and provides help when you decide to leave. Depending on how long you have served for depends on how much help you get (to put it simply), but anyone who has served a minimum of 4 years (not including any service before the age of 18) receives help (we call it resettlement). Careers fairs, grants, learning credits, paid time off, financial lump sums etc are all available.

 

ditchy, you're allowed to have a point of view, I don't think Peedee has asked for any special help here, he's posed a question to the forum
I think he felt someone on here may be more informed about modern day apprenticeships, being in the Royal Corps for so long, he'll be out of the loop

If you rapped your job then why should anyone have helped you it's a big world for big boys
I personally think these guys n gals risking their lives for 'our freedom' do deserve a helping hand when they call it a day and come back into a world that's probably become totally alien to when they were last in it

 

Yep having thought about it, you both have valid points regards the integration back into normal society.

If I were you peedee I wouldn't go looking at the motor trade, mostly because there's no real money in it, you'll be lucky to make £25k pa, so you're effectively salary capped for the rest of your working life, if you like working on cars do it in your spare time not as a career.

I'd be looking at some franchise opportunities if you really must get in the Motortrade do it as a dent man/ paint correction or snap on tool guy (not sure how good that is these days but it used to be a good crack once upon a time) that way you're up and running with continued support, you're also your own man to a degree.

Personally I probably wouldn't do either and I'd be looking towards training / schooling for something that pays well, that way you can afford to follow your passion at the weekends.

 

+1^^^ hope you all the best peewee

 

If its not too much of a personal question - how old are you Peedee?

I'm 43 and may be in a similar boat to you soon - i'll be interested in seeing what opportunities are out there for us

 

I'm 32 mate (close to 33). How long have you done?? What are you in??

 

Thanks for all the advice so far guys, all points taken on board :-)

 

Its no use to you (due to where you live) but there is a place at Trafford Park Manchester (Skills Solutions) which I went to look at with my son as he was leaving school earlier this year. He was after training as an Electrician.
It is a Training company who take on all ages and many different trades are taught under an apprenticeship. As you get trained they will look for placements for you with local employers with quite a good success rate I believe in most of the trades they teach,ie electrical installation ,plumbing, building ,joinery , scaffolding, gas fitting etc ,etc.
I was very impressed with the place to be honest and they may be able to get funding for your training costs etc.
As it happens my lad got an apprenticeship nearer home and did not start with them but this type of outfit may well be up your street if you can find one near you.
Good luck with your search.

 

Find what you want to do now for your resettlement and get it booked, sooner the better as popular courses fill up very quickly!
Also make use of everything they give you, I took 1 week to work in a car showroom and still had 4 weeks resettlement plus 4 weeks termination leave.
I was quite lucky and walked into a job whilst still on my termination leave

 

Why not look at training to become a plumber? You'll always have work (no-one can decide to put off fixing their bog for example, regardless of any recession) and you can earn a good living, if you're prepared to put the hours in (which I'm sure you are).