Adult apprenticeships - whos done one?

[Ben73]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

I ended up as an auto electrician but I've left to go back to school, chasing the white collar career.

I started at 18, qualified at 22.

Still wouldn't mind being around cars in some form as I enjoy it, but just not on the tools, the trade ruined that for me pretty quick lol.

What are you training in now?

I sometimes get sick of my job. I look into going to uni to get an architecture degree. Then I realise that means paying tens of thousands of dollars to study my *** off so after graduating I can try and find a job where I have to work harder and for less money.
After finding out the average architecture income in NSW is $55k. No thanks.

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by homegrown

was forced to drive the coupe everyday to work for a year because I had no other car (there was $20 gone every day)

But on the plus side you would have had the Classiest car for an Apprentice (and possibly management ) and probably the envy of all of them !

[Dreama]

Homegrown - do you work for yourself now or a company?

[homegrown]

Originally Posted by Dreama

Homegrown - do you work for yourself now or a company?

Working for a company. I can't even handle all the extra jobs that the relatives keep asking for
I have so much respect for the people who do their own tenders. When your relaxing on a Sunday arvo guaranteed they'll have work on there minds 24/7.

[Stefan]

Originally Posted by Ben73

What are you training in now?

I sometimes get sick of my job. I look into going to uni to get an architecture degree. Then I realise that means paying tens of thousands of dollars to study my *** off so after graduating I can try and find a job where I have to work harder and for less money.
After finding out the average architecture income in NSW is $55k. No thanks.

That sounds like a "straight out of uni" " first job" salary.... our Graduate Engineers are on about that and are getting a $10K payrise annually. If they graduate at say 21 by 25-26 they are on over $100K a year.

I can't imagine an architect being too far behind.

Nothing wrong with going to Uni...most of my friends a Uni grads....Project Managers, Banking, Pharmaceuticals, Legal....late 30s early 40s all on $200K plus... a couple way beyond that.

Nothing wrong with a trade either....but you'd need to be in your own business to really make money and that is were the risk lies.

Not easy...

[OwnTheRoad]

Was fortunate to be employed under an ETU EBA as an adult , 37 yr old , the apprentice rate for an adult is very good if employed under these conditions.I have a mortgage a wife and 2 children to support. It was tough for the first year but the 2nd year wage increase eased the burden.
One draw back to this late start business is that you need to consider how long you will be financially strapped for ,much like going back to study then having a debt i guess.
Another to consider is the work you will undertake and your fitness , climbing under floors and through roof spaces doesn't get easier with age.
Of course there are the benefits , another piece of paper with a big A grade licence on it goes a long way too.
The late starter is also behind when it comes to trade networking time .Pretty hard to just kick off once qualified and make money without connections, especially with mortgage and family financial pressures added.
More good than bad for sure ,just plenty to think about thats all.

[Gaz]

I'm doing an adult apprenticeship currently. Started at 26, end of my second year now.

Was lucky to get in the mining industry, so coin is definitely better, especially as mature age. That being said, the wages on offer varied majorly. As an adult, the gap between the 3 jobs I got offered was almost $15 an hr.

Apprentices can be hit and miss, worked with a number of younger guys, most were a waste of time. But then again, I've worked with tradies who are also a waste of time. A lot of blokes who are just outta their time and they act like they have been doing it for 15 years.

Attitude plays a big part in the jobs you get.

As an auto sparky there's a lot of times where there's not much going on for me and I get thrown into servicing with the fitters, you know there's some **** poor tradies out there when I've got blokes preferring to work with the apprentice auto sparky on mechanical jobs, because I get more done and don't have a **** attitude.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Ben73

What are you training in now?

I sometimes get sick of my job. I look into going to uni to get an architecture degree. Then I realise that means paying tens of thousands of dollars to study my *** off so after graduating I can try and find a job where I have to work harder and for less money.
After finding out the average architecture income in NSW is $55k. No thanks.

I've been doing OHS/WHS/quality auditing/investigations, I've got Cert IV OHS and another in Investigations, also Diploma in WHS and another in Quality Auditing.

I'm keen to get into an OHS position but its one of those industries where you need 3-5 years experience to get in, but no one is offering entry level positions to get the required experience.

Very closed up industry, but if you can get said years of experience there is lots of work in that field across the country.

I made it to round 2 and did all the assessments for VWA field inspector position yesterday, but I was the youngest one there and the others all had industry experience so I think I'm gonna get the better luck next time email soon.

[Davehoos]

you need 3-5 years experience to get in, but no one is offering entry level positions to get the required experience.

my neice has a WHS internship with a construction company.as she does her PHD. her work mates are all getting ready for retirement and have each more qualifications than Ive seen. There is no way they will employ from general public..

my mate was a truck transport boss that specialised in audits of proceedures at other companies like ford, started out as a spare parts clerk and was made reduntant at 55 with the first coal down turns-20+ years ago and thrown on the dole scrap heap. given a job of boy friday to wash new vehicles he was placed by them to train staff and audit standards.

Now at 70 he is still going into many companies to teach them how to fill out method statements required by morrons that issue large tenders or contract purchases Or induct staff to me able to deliver products. He is not payed as a consultant

my mate has little education-just common sence-few basic tickets like trainer.

[FormulaFG]

Originally Posted by homegrown

Working for a company. I can't even handle all the extra Have jobs that the relatives keep asking for
I have so muc respect for the people who do their own tenders. When your relaxing on a Sunday arvo guaranteed they'll have work on there minds 24/7.

Hey homegrown, can I ask how old you were when you started and what year it was?

As an update I have asked around a bit but haven't found anything. Going to make some calls tonight to an apprenticeship place to get some info. In my current job I'm on 37k do you think a first year apprentice plumber gas fitter would go down from that?

[GasoLane]

Slightly off topic......

A friends Son started a Tiling Apprenticeship in QLD and got to the end of his 2nd year.
He then moved back to NSW but it seems that the QLD years didn't count and he had to start again as a 1st year !!

I really thought Aus was one country, but it seems not as far as Apprenticeships go.

[boss310]

Mine carried over from NSW to SA many years ago. I recall that being the idea of the National Broad Based training modules.
Strange that it wasn't recognised

Spike

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by GasOLane

Slightly off topic......

A friends Son started a Tiling Apprenticeship in QLD and got to the end of his 2nd year.
He then moved back to NSW but it seems that the QLD years didn't count and he had to start again as a 1st year !!

I really thought Aus was one country, but it seems not as far as Apprenticeships go.

I went through trade school with a guy who did two apprenticeships in WA and our TAFE wouldn't recognise his other qualifications so he had to do the same electrical modules again.

[FormulaFG]

Originally Posted by GasOLane

Slightly off topic.....

A friends Son started a Tiling Apprenticeship in QLD and got to the end of his 2nd year.
He then moved back to NSW but it seems that the QLD years didn't count and he had to start again as a 1st year !!

I really thought Aus was one country, but it seems not as far as Apprenticeships go.

That sucks!

How demoralising that would have been! I also thought training was nationally recognized.

[Itsme]

As far as I'm aware trade certificates are recognised in all states & territories, I thought the same would have applied to training modules as boss310 commented in his post.

[TC200six]

When I did a trade course in TAFE a number of years ago, the teacher said it wasn't long ago that certificates obtained there were not recognised in other states but since changed. Don't know if that applies to all areas.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by TC200six

When I did a trade course in TAFE a number of years ago, the teacher said it wasn't long ago that certificates obtained there were not recognised in other states but since changed. Don't know if that applies to all areas.

If they have different course codes on the modules its a nightmare, then it becomes TAFE contacting TAFE to sort it out and it goes nowhere.

[Davehoos]

there has been a lot of publicity in NSW and Victoria this year that started off because of the child minding/preschool industry and the no training no dole deals.

Loads of addvertisments on the radio to inform school age, long term unemployed and those made redundant this year. Most people havnt heard the message and have only been comment about conservative government anti union cut backs.-for against isn't the issue.

My qualification are recognised in most countries and states. none of my training is and to move interstate I would basically have to start again or pay lots of dollars. its common around[hunter valley] to know people hat moved interstate and returned quickly because training was not recognised not only in different states but from different companies or organisations.

My motor vehicle mechanic was not recognised by my government employer, and RMS -they recognised me as a Heavy Vehicle Plant Mechanic.

My electrician brother and brother inlaw have been working as project manergers in the mining industry around Australia. due to the mining crash they have now required to work as well on sites and the qualification updates and organising all others on the site-IE checking qualifications is a nightmare.

my sister has a business degree-her last full time job was checking that employees had valid qualifications and it was a medium business with a busy HR staff.

[damo76]

I am 38 and sick of getting the crappy jobs and would like to better myself, I don't really care if i get apprentice wages, want to be my own boss, how do you get a mature age apprenticeship?

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by damo76

I am 38 and sick of getting the crappy jobs and would like to better myself, I don't really care if i get apprentice wages, want to be my own boss, how do you get a mature age apprenticeship?

Look for apprenticeships advertised on Seek, or contact businesses.

[sr71]

Originally Posted by damo76

how do you get a mature age apprenticeship?

THERE ARE OTHER OPTIONS BESIDES APPRENTICESHIPS. But a Trade license will need Tafe ( or equivalent qualifications) plus work experience
I've done 17 years of Tafe, achieving 3 Trade licenses ( 5 with another 12-18 months Tafe). Most of that Tafe has been at night, and then work as a Trades assistant/labourer. If you can prove to be a hard worker, be available whenever needed ( nights &/or weekends), Tradesmen will take you on. But setting yourself up as a Sub-contracting Labourer with your own insurances ABN etc will be needed. And get used to no sick days, RDO's, Public Holidays and Annual Leave for a while.
With a few tools, work vehicle and no paperwork for employers, you'll be a better option than lazy(&/or young)apprentices ,workers on payroll or Sub-contract tradesmen asking $50-80/hr.
Start at $25-35/hr. you'll be on $40-45/hr after a year.
Tafe NSW is changing there cost structure in 2015. Going from $500/year up to $9500. Fee for Service ( a govt initiative) means that TAFE won't be subsidized anymore. Get on the TAFE Course Cost Calculator to work out how much.
Work Hard, and you'll be rewarded with constant work. (And don't get into the pattern of taking a Banana chair & toasted sandwich maker, spending 35 minutes buying your lunch and finishing at exactly 3:30pm.)
My moto for getting ahead: Work more than 8 hours/day and sleep less than 8.
I'm happy to go into more detail, for anyone interested.
Good luck

[Dreama]

Does anyone know about Building apprenticeships for Adults in SA or what is needed to get into Landscaping ?
Cheers

[MercurySilver]

redundancies going thru our place again
seems to be salary tho 9and hopefully not hte floor workers again)
i couldnt live off an apprentice wage if the **** hits the fan
id have to sell up
but i do wish i wouldve done something trade wise when i left school looking back now hindsight is a great thing
i admire anyone going out now and doing one as a middle aged adult

[Bill M]

Originally Posted by boss310

Do you employ apprentices? trust me if not, a first or second year in a fitting and machining shop is not doing me any favours. I have apprentices because I'm passionate about my trade and manufacturing in this country.

We would spend two days making a $1200 shaft on a manual centre lathe rather than bashing one out in two hours on an NC to train an apprentice, so that isn't a favour to me, when they drop a $400 piece of carbon, that isn't a favour to me, leaving the lid off a $200 tin a paint in summer....you get the idea, the riches some here think the government provides would be swallowed up within the first year.


A lot of employer bashing here, we're not all ****** and aren't made rich by our "slaves"

Spike

I have apprentices because I'm passionate about my trade and manufacturing in this country.

We need more with your attitude to training and manufacturing.
Sounds like your apprentices get good training to make them better tradesmen.
cheers
Bill.