From full time emploee to apprentice

kkelly77

Hi all,

I'd be interested to hear form anyone that was in full time employment for a number of years who, for whatever reason, lost their job and decided to start an apprenticeship.

It is something I have been mulling over and see it as an alternative to going back to college full time which, as we all know, can be very expensive. I have some 13-14 yrs of working experience behind me so I'm not fresh out of school and would like to hear from people with a similar number of working years that made the change.

K.

Del007

I started my apprenticeship when I was 27 and I'm due to qualify to April. It's been a long struggle as the last two years have been a nightmare due to not having regular work.

What are you planning on doing your apprenticeship in?

kkelly77

Del007 wrote: »

What are you planning on doing your apprenticeship in?

Instrumentation. Failing that, electrical.

Del007

I did an electrical apprenticeship. Do you have a job lined up? If so, will they have work for you for the 4 years?

kkelly77

Del007 wrote: »

I did an electrical apprenticeship. Do you have a job lined up? If so, will they have work for you for the 4 years?

Nothing yet. I'm only researching the option at the moment.

Del007

If I were you I'd look at getting an ESB apprenticeship, that way you're guaranteed work for the 4 years.

m.j.w

I started my apprenticeship when I was 24 and just went into my third year in December there. Before that I was in the army for 4 years and I left that voluntarily because I did not want to be tied down to Ireland for the rest of my life. I am doing an electrical apprenticeship and I was very lucky to get in a factory which is doing pretty well (touch wood) so I have been working non stop and hopefully will be for the rest of my apprenticeship.

The first two years were a big stuggle as I dropped from my army wages down to 172 euro a week in first year and then 260 in second year, but third year is not so bad. I live with my girlfriend so the bills were tough in first year but I had 9 grand saved up to get me through. If you are doing an apprenticeship the only thing you are entitled to is a medical card.

It will be very hard to get work and if you do there is a big chance you could be let go. Out of the 14 lads in my class at fas 3 of us had jobs to go back to, about 4 had a few weeks here and there and the rest were unemployed. If you go ahead with the electrical apprenticeship I would suggest going down the industrial route as there are no jobs in the domestic side and proabably wont be for a long time. Esb would be ideal but it is extremely hard to get into. Dublin aiport and Board Gais also take on apprentices every year.

As for age I was the oldest in my class at fas but in the other class there was a few lads who were nearly 30 and they were in thier first year. After I got my job I was told that they were abit hesitant about taking me on because of my age but everywhere is proabably different. Anyway it was a big stuggle at the start but I am delighted I went for it and the time has flew in.

m.j.w

http://jobseeker.fas.ie/Default.aspx?q=RbOupUgtLoEMJUu94svFo/cfiBF96JpCL85bzmFR7h/G+VmcwruEQrFSzQKMy8QBIa2MODJ6Ruk5vLK33M7yF/4hImbIN7yeF0TTL1Yf+HcFKqmF0iR6swDmhsKQ4V4nbEkx7LJQlLASnzawmT6LOZp8OgsbQChhWNhsQdtd658vCgzqfVY88+A8IC6OGatqCY+FOopA4ZqsFeTxEyZRvXVYVWTlXLJRYtx5iKjDXIog0u9xbtIvJE9tdCTREC8ugAIyGOo5sUVMDs5CkPhF44qJkSi6IBCDgZQ2oZD+nNL/t4p3NHsNjKTE9h7Bz8cKI8sUNEWirm/54B80uVv8rs2G9Sf4xvXIkBuDqf3WBfMUcafq6jpQhA6p8gx9C7Hbu7KpwM9E6KpJ3vHKqh/oAy1JuNnEeyMc

dunno where your based kkelly but just letting ya know off this job