Gerard_M

Just looking for some ideas on what to do. Went to college to do IT when i left school but it really wasnt for me so only stayed for the first year. Would really love to get into a trade like plumbing, electrician, heating engineer or joinery and have been applying for apprenticeships for the past year and a half but with no joy. Right now i work in a shop but hate it, its a dead end job and im only there to run the car. So really im asking does anyone have any recomendations or could point me in the right direction of where to go for here right now i just feel lost. Thanks in advance.

john_s

iTrader: (1)

Assuming you haven't already, try contacting the CITB (or whatever they are called this week) or a local technical college. They will have contacts with local employers that take on apprentices.

Unfortunately at the moment, it's not a great time for construction industry companies (especially those involved in housebuilding), so many companies have been laying tradesmen off over the last few months. There's probably going to be a lot of companies that don't bother taking apprentices on this year.

Gerard_M

will give them a ring and see what they say. Yeah i know that a lot of people have been paid off this year so probably isnt the best time like you say.

Borat_Drives_A_Scooby

Poker is a great career, all you need is a daft hat, some sunglasses and a loud shirt and quick hands for when your shouting snap.

Gerard_M

lol nah would prefer something that doesn't depend on pure luck

Lisawrx

iTrader: (1)

What trade would you most like to get into? It might not be a good time right now, but I would think even at the moment, there are certain trades worth going into, something where there will always be a need.

If you are currently working, can you not train towards something outside of work hours, which may help you get into whatever line of work you decide upon. Getting in touch with somewhere that maybe to give you more advice or contacts is a good idea though.

Good luck in whatever you decide to do, and I hope you get sorted. I myself work in a shop, and I am looking to get out, so I can understand how you feel right now.

Gerard_M

im off into town tomorrow to speak to a career advisor to see what they suggest. Heating engineer/ gas fitter is what i really want to do as there will always be a need for it and it appeals to me most but its just finding someone willing to take me on thats the problem. Ive really just had enough of my current job couldnt tell you the last time i enjoyed a shift.

Lisawrx

iTrader: (1)

I know exactly what you mean. Hopefully the career advisor will give you some decent advice, and point you in the right direction. If it's what you want to do, and it is something that can offer you security once you get sorted, go for it.

I really hope you get someone willing to give you a try. I don't know about that career, but worst case, can you not get a foot in the door somewhere and train towards what you want to do? It might be worth it if possible if it's what you really want. You'll know more once you've spoken to someone, but don't give up, if they can't help too much, that's where I went wrong, and almost 10 years later, I'm still working in a crappy shop.

eClaire

The world is your oyster my friend. I'm about to embark on a degree in physics as of Monday. I've packed in my job, prepared myself for a life of poverty and am raring to go.

Go to your local college/uni. Term starts soon. Find something you WANT to do, rather than something you reckon will make you minted.

LG John

Sigh

PeteBrant

Apparantly a degree is Physics makes you more likely to succeed in forming your own business (Something to do with being more analytical with problems)

Which is handy, because you are not going to earn a fortune if you turn to Engineering .

I'm a Hardware Design Engineer and even the very very best paid jobs pale into insignificance next to say, a Software developer working in the city.

LG John

Claire why physics?

eClaire

Pete, I've spent most of my years since leaving school working in Economic Development and Business Solutions. Exactly what I don't want to be doing after my degree


Kenny, you mustn't have listened to everything I've ever told you I've a keen interest in science and technology, and with Physics being my favourite subject at school and the one in which I performed best I thought it made sense.

LG John

You forget I have the worst memory ever! I can't remember what I had for tea last night!!!

eClaire

But I bet you can remember every hand you have played in your last 10 poker games and the effect each and every one of those had on your bank roll

Ray_li

dont go in to Engineering

eClaire

Why not, Ray li?

sti-04!!

Automotive industry are crying out for apprentices.
Mainly in the body repair sector.
Could be an option.

Gear Head

iTrader: (2)

What a stupid thing to say!

PeteBrant

Why is is a stupid thing to say?

LG John

Nah, knowing the day to day swings only has an adverse effect on mentality so I don't check anything, stats, how much I've won/lost, rakeback, etc until the end of the week. I've played around 7,500 hands this week and have no idea how they have gone so far!

Gear Head

iTrader: (2)

Because what if that is what field he really wants to get involved. Some people are quite happy on an engineers salary you know!

Plus, engineering covers a massive range of industries. Saying 'do not get involved' really doesn't give the guy any idea at all does it?

PeteBrant

Don't get me wrong, and Engineers salary isn't "bad" by any stretch of the imagination. I'ts just that they are typically undervalued fro the level of ability they have, when compared to other industries.

But I know some stunningly good RF engineers that are on £40K, And if they applied themselves to another field, they could earn three times that.

Let's face it, if you are a Bsc and have a few years under your belt, you are no fool, but you will be undervalued if you work in Engineering.

However, you are quite right to point out that if you are happy on the salary, then it isn't a bad living, and can be immensly satisfying - I just feel a slight pang of regret when I see my software devloper freind earning upwards of £8K a month.

Gear Head

iTrader: (2)

Money isn't everything mate.
You'd still probably spend it all and wish earned 16K a month!

The Chief

Pete are you into RF Design? we're into broadcasting ourselves and our RF engineers only just earn that, you are right though they can earn more than that - a lot more.

Ray_li

dont go in to Engineering if its manufacturing related then because its all going to the far east

chocolate_o_brian

iTrader: (22)

I've been looking at something like this. I can't seem to find any openings though, as I'd have thought with my artistic falir, this could be a good path for myself.

PeteBrant

Manufacturing and Engineering are two differen things.

Things will be designed (Engineered) over here, and manufactured in China.

PeteBrant

I have done some RF in the past, and Bluetooth and that sort of thing. I am doing Drives and controllers now.


I have seen some adverts in The Engineer etc asking for experinced RF Engineers to apply for jobs paying £30K - It's ridiculous.