Changing careers near 40

[Chrisc]

As the title suggests, after nearly 20 years in the global logistics game and being shouted at for stupid things like "What can we do to prevent this happening again" (in response to the Ever given being stuck in the Suez)

I have decided to do what Ive always wanted to do and get a trade (electrician).

its a massive risk and I am well out of my comfort zone, but I came to the conclusion that Its now or never, so I decided to smash the savings and train. initially it will be 40 weeks at night school and I'm genuinely really excited to get started.

I am naturally not a big risk taker, so I really don't need replies telling me that I am making a mistake.

id be interested to hear if other people have done something similar and how they got on.

For the record, before the 2008 crash, I was a floor fitter so I am not shy to the physical graft involved.

 

[ljt]

I had a forced career change at 40 if that counts

Worked for a large telecoms company for 20 years, then redundancies hit. The job I did, doesn't exist in any other company in the UK, so I had to retrain in something new. I chose IT support, as I've always had an interest in solving issues with PC's etc since a young age. Took 6 months out to get a couple of courses/certs in IT. Got a job as a Trainee IT tech at a local company (not IT related), been there 18 months, but the company got bought out by a big corp and they don't have onsite IT, so I've been told my position wont exist shortly (yay) so may have to start looking, or see what they say come consultation time. So could be considering a second career change in less than 2 years after the original lol.

 

[shifty_uk]

No advice other than good luck, it’s not as big a risk as you think and it’ll work out for the best providing you’re happy

 

[Diddums]

**** yeah, go for it. Finding your first gigs could be difficult, but once you've got a few on your CV you'll be off to the races.

You planning on flying solo or working in a company?

 

[Chrisc]

**** yeah, go for it. Finding your first gigs could be difficult, but once you've got a few on your CV you'll be off to the races.

You planning on flying solo or working in a company?

My dad has been in the trade for 40+ years, he has contacts that I am hoping will give me a chance.

Im hoping to work for a company, I want to be more on the commercial side rather than house bashing, but ill take what i can i guess for the first couple of years.

 

[Chrisc]

I had a forced career change at 40 if that counts

Worked for a large telecoms company for 20 years, then redundancies hit. The job I did, doesn't exist in any other company in the UK, so I had to retrain in something new. I chose IT support, as I've always had an interest in solving issues with PC's etc since a young age. Took 6 months out to get a couple of courses/certs in IT. Got a job as a Trainee IT tech at a local company (not IT related), been there 18 months, but the company got bought out by a big corp and they don't have onsite IT, so I've been told my position wont exist shortly (yay) so may have to start looking, or see what they say come consultation time. So could be considering a second career change in less than 2 years after the original lol.

I did IT in college and that was my main focus, mainly because all of my family are in the trade and told me to stay out of it.

Upon interviewing, I was met with 'You don't have enough experience' or 'you're over qualified'. I always had a bitter view towards it, because it was something I was genuinely good with, but I just couldn't get my foot in the door. Over the last 5-10yrs Ive started to think I dodged a bullet.

 

[Chrisc]

No advice other than good luck, it’s not as big a risk as you think and it’ll work out for the best providing you’re happy

Thank you, I really appreciate it.

 

[Diddums]

My dad has been in the trade for 40+ years, he has contacts that I am hoping will give me a chance.

Im hoping to work for a company, I want to be more on the commercial side rather than house bashing, but ill take what i can i guess for the first couple of years.

How long until you're fully qualified?

Just seen you're oop norf, can you be more specific? I work for one of the largest FM companies in the world and we have TONS of vacancies for sparkies all the time. This won't be housebashing, but rather maintenance in larger buildings. So you'll be fixing lights, replacing distribution boards, that kind of thing. Depending on the contract you should be able to join a decent sized team who will help you find your feet in what can be quite a daunting industry at first.

You'll be surprised how receptive decent managers can be towards people who retrain, it shows commitment and a willingness to learn. I'd hire someone like that in a heartbeat, and have done a few times. Not once been let down.

Earnings wise you're looking at £40k+, depending on what you do. A dozy, lazy site where you're basically just sitting around drinking tea and reading the papers until something goes wrong will be around £40k. The other end of the scale is datacentres, where you'd have to work shift, and be on point at all times. Those roles can be £60k excluding overtime. Add in a couple of shifts a month and you're quickly on £70k+, but don't be fooled, those shifts are long and working days/nights will screw up your body if you do it for prolonged periods. Personally, I lasted two years and then jacked it in.

Then of course a lot of companies will actively want to invest in you, so thinks like High Voltage Authorized Persons are courses you'll want to snap up if you can. The course is only part of the picture, the actual Authorized Person side of things will involve you demonstrating to a more senior member of your team that you're capable of managing the high voltage switchgear, which will then become your responsibility. This is often a foothold in to HV-specific companies and can command some serious coin later on. Fortunately here in the UK our HV regulations are some of the best in the world, so if you've been an HVAP for a couple of years, you can pretty much move anywhere in the world and be guaranteed a job.

That's just an example, there are tons more little feathers you can add to your cap along the way, and many will also come with some extra compensation.

Also also, I've seen electricians command up to £800 a day for basic electrical work, up to £2500 for intense inspection & testing.

Many ways to peel this orange, just depends on what you want.

Any more questions, ask away

 

[CREATIVE!11]

As the title suggests, after nearly 20 years in the global logistics game and being shouted at for stupid things like "What can we do to prevent this happening again" (in response to the Ever given being stuck in the Suez)

I have decided to do what Ive always wanted to do and get a trade (electrician).

its a massive risk and I am well out of my comfort zone, but I came to the conclusion that Its now or never, so I decided to smash the savings and train. initially it will be 40 weeks at night school and I'm genuinely really excited to get started.

I am naturally not a big risk taker, so I really don't need replies telling me that I am making a mistake.

id be interested to hear if other people have done something similar and how they got on.

For the record, before the 2008 crash, I was a floor fitter so I am not shy to the physical graft involved.

I don't know why anyone would say it's a big mistake.

The trades are stable long term, and as long as you are physically in shape, you'll be fine. If not start with the gym couple times a week and stretching so you at least age more gracefully.

I'm thinking of doing the same thing if tech doesn't pan out for me, i'm genuinely considering trade as an option but im a handful of years younger.

 

[Chrisc]

How long until you're fully qualified?

Just seen you're oop norf, can you be more specific? I work for one of the largest FM companies in the world and we have TONS of vacancies for sparkies all the time. This won't be housebashing, but rather maintenance in larger buildings. So you'll be fixing lights, replacing distribution boards, that kind of thing. Depending on the contract you should be able to join a decent sized team who will help you find your feet in what can be quite a daunting industry at first.

You'll be surprised how receptive decent managers can be towards people who retrain, it shows commitment and a willingness to learn. I'd hire someone like that in a heartbeat, and have done a few times. Not once been let down.

Earnings wise you're looking at £40k+, depending on what you do. A dozy, lazy site where you're basically just sitting around drinking tea and reading the papers until something goes wrong will be around £40k. The other end of the scale is datacentres, where you'd have to work shift, and be on point at all times. Those roles can be £60k excluding overtime. Add in a couple of shifts a month and you're quickly on £70k+, but don't be fooled, those shifts are long and working days/nights will screw up your body if you do it for prolonged periods. Personally, I lasted two years and then jacked it in.

Then of course a lot of companies will actively want to invest in you, so thinks like High Voltage Authorized Persons are courses you'll want to snap up if you can. The course is only part of the picture, the actual Authorized Person side of things will involve you demonstrating to a more senior member of your team that you're capable of managing the high voltage switchgear, which will then become your responsibility. This is often a foothold in to HV-specific companies and can command some serious coin later on. Fortunately here in the UK our HV regulations are some of the best in the world, so if you've been an HVAP for a couple of years, you can pretty much move anywhere in the world and be guaranteed a job.

That's just an example, there are tons more little feathers you can add to your cap along the way, and many will also come with some extra compensation.

Also also, I've seen electricians command up to £800 a day for basic electrical work, up to £2500 for intense inspection & testing.

Many ways to peel this orange, just depends on what you want.

Any more questions, ask away

First of all, thank you so much for your reply, I cant tell you how nervous I am and reading things like this gives me a good boost. I guess the nerves have come from trying to give my little the best life I can, and ive done well in the industry I work in but now he's reaching 16, its time to start doing something I really want to do.

I sit in the 40-50k bracket now so its great to hear there are options available, I was fully committed to dropping down at least £10k for a few years.

So the course is 40 weeks, that will be to complete the diploma 2 & 3, after that they have basically told us that you are in a position where you can be an 'Electricians mate' and grind it out for 2-3 years before applying for the Electricians gold card.

They have advised of further courses like electrical vehicle charge installation and PAT testing etc. . I think the first port of call is trying to get on with a reputable company and see what avenues I can go down.

Im in Manchester by the way.

And again, thanks so much for the reply.

 

[Chrisc]

I don't know why anyone would say it's a big mistake.

The trades are stable long term, and as long as you are physically in shape, you'll be fine. If not start with the gym couple times a week and stretching so you at least age more gracefully.

I'm thinking of doing the same thing if tech doesn't pan out for me, i'm genuinely considering trade as an option but im a handful of years younger.

Im in my comfort zone and earn relatively good money. I guess its easy to look at the negatives and reasons why it wouldn't work.

 

[arknor]

I thought becoming an electrician took multiple years around 3-5 of them?? I always wanted to be one, but at school a nurse told me I'm partially colour blind and could never be something like an electrician or pilot...

Which I believe was false information because I can tell the difference in colour of wires.... i'ts just some shades of colours look almost the same... but wires are always distinct colours anyway.

I should have ignored her and followed my dreams, anything electronic I owned as a kid I would take a part and figure out how it all works. (80s and early 90s so everything was pretty basic)

 

[Diddums]

I thought becoming an electrician took multiple years around 3-5 of them?? I always wanted to be one, but at school a nurse told me I'm partially colour blind and could never be something like an electrician or pilot...

Which I believe was false information because I can tell the difference in colour of wires.... i'ts just some shades of colours look almost the same... but wires are always distinct colours anyway.

I should have ignored her and followed my dreams, anything electronic I owned as a kid I would take a part and figure out how it all works. (80s and early 90s so everything was pretty basic)

Depends really. Sometimes you have to get lucky or know people. We hired a chap last year who'd done his level 2 C&G all on his own back, and we paid for his level 3. He then went on to do his HVAP stuff and is now doing quite well. Loads of people out there will give you a break in life if you're willing to put in the effort.

As for colourblindness, I wouldn't have a clue.

 

[CREATIVE!11]

Im in my comfort zone and earn relatively good money. I guess its easy to look at the negatives and reasons why it wouldn't work.

I do think in relation to what you said above, you may have dodged a bullet with IT, I think it depends how stuff evolves over the next 3-5 years, the industry always goes through downturns, but with AI etc this is a different ballgame going forward.

But nobody knows, if software dev annoys me too much with it all, i'm out and looking for my way into electrician as well, although I lack contacts but I can probably attempt to do night classes etc.

 

[Chrisc]

I do think in relation to what you said above, you may have dodged a bullet with IT, I think it depends how stuff evolves over the next 3-5 years, the industry always goes through downturns, but with AI etc this is a different ballgame going forward.

But nobody knows, if software dev annoys me too much with it all, i'm out and looking for my way into electrician as well, although I lack contacts but I can probably attempt to do night classes etc.

Keep in touch, ill let you know how I get on.

 

[adam cool dude]

I am doing something similar to yourself. Although not electrician but a pilot. Smashed our savings and took some money out of the house as our mortgage was basically finished.

I started last summer when I was 38 and it has taken me 9 months to get my Private Pilots Licence. I did it in 47 hours which was better than the majority of the kids in my flying school and they don't have to juggle work, kids and a house. Age is just a number. Starting my commercial theory in September which will be fun and planning to go to Poland next summer to do my final ratings and hopefully get in with a certain Irish carrier. If successful and I can stay fit that still leaves me with a potential 25 year career.

Like you I have never been a massive risk taker but I guess that has helped in a way to give me the money now to take this massive expensive risk!

I wish you all the luck in your endeavours.

 

[mid_gen]

I am doing something similar to yourself. Although not electrician but a pilot. Smashed our savings and took some money out of the house as our mortgage was basically finished.

I started last summer when I was 38 and it has taken me 9 months to get my Private Pilots Licence. I did it in 47 hours which was better than the majority of the kids in my flying school and they don't have to juggle work, kids and a house. Age is just a number. Starting my commercial theory in September which will be fun and planning to go to Poland next summer to do my final ratings and hopefully get in with a certain Irish carrier. If successful and I can stay fit that still leaves me with a potential 25 year career.

Like you I have never been a massive risk taker but I guess that has helped in a way to give me the money now to take this massive expensive risk!

I wish you all the luck in your endeavours.

Probably a good shout. My parents were both PPLs so I used to fly a lot, although they lost their medicals a long time ago.

Think aircraft will be the last means of transport to be automated, so probably sound for a long time. Tourism is going to be one of the most resilient industries for the next 20 years imo.

 

[dacads]

All the best mate, hope it's a success and then you can also inspire others.

I always tell people it's never too late to change career. Although maybe I should try myself before giving that advice

 

[malachi]

Probably a good shout. My parents were both PPLs so I used to fly a lot, although they lost their medicals a long time ago.

Think aircraft will be the last means of transport to be automated, so probably sound for a long time. Tourism is going to be one of the most resilient industries for the next 20 years imo.

We all thought that until Covid happened

I am doing something similar to yourself. Although not electrician but a pilot. Smashed our savings and took some money out of the house as our mortgage was basically finished.

I started last summer when I was 38 and it has taken me 9 months to get my Private Pilots Licence. I did it in 47 hours which was better than the majority of the kids in my flying school and they don't have to juggle work, kids and a house. Age is just a number. Starting my commercial theory in September which will be fun and planning to go to Poland next summer to do my final ratings and hopefully get in with a certain Irish carrier. If successful and I can stay fit that still leaves me with a potential 25 year career.

Like you I have never been a massive risk taker but I guess that has helped in a way to give me the money now to take this massive expensive risk!

I wish you all the luck in your endeavours.

Good luck, nice to read something different instead of "Go into the trades bro!!!" Like a Lemming.

 

[Penfold101]

As the title suggests, after nearly 20 years in the global logistics game and being shouted at for stupid things like "What can we do to prevent this happening again" (in response to the Ever given being stuck in the Suez)

I have decided to do what Ive always wanted to do and get a trade (electrician).

its a massive risk and I am well out of my comfort zone, but I came to the conclusion that Its now or never, so I decided to smash the savings and train. initially it will be 40 weeks at night school and I'm genuinely really excited to get started.

I am naturally not a big risk taker, so I really don't need replies telling me that I am making a mistake.

id be interested to hear if other people have done something similar and how they got on.

For the record, before the 2008 crash, I was a floor fitter so I am not shy to the physical graft involved.

You’ll regret it for the rest of your life if you don’t take the chance of what you want to do. Whether you get there or not, you’ll be happy in the knowledge you tried.