On the scrap heap at 40+ - need to formulate a plan.

makeorbrake

Hi all. I'm hoping for some feedback on a question I've never been able to answer!

I am in my 11th year with a multi-national - working on the factory floor. To me, it's inevitable that at some stage, redundancy will come round. Although my employer has been in Ireland for quite some time now, mnc's are fickle - and some day soon, I feel I'll be out on my ear.

Part of me relishes this idea. I don't particularly enjoy working life - but of course it pays the bills. I like the idea of picking up a redundancy cheque - but only provided I don't actually end up running it down.


With that, there's a vulnerability in terms of my employability. I do have some qualifications - but they are qualifications that I never really pursued for one reason or another. Have a B.Sc Hons degree in Horticulture (University of Leeds) - from almost 20 years ago. Worked an office job in a Parks department in the UK for 6 months upon completing that - but then returned to Ireland for a bit - working in a completely different area (Sales & Marketing Assistant for an engineering company) and subsequently, a Sales rep for a company in the same marketplace. Spent a few years abroad and worked as a car sales rep. for an american company. Returned to Ireland and ended up with my current employer. I had (and I guess, I have) a general interest in tech related stuff -so have some outdated I.T. certs - Comptia A plus & Comptia Server plus certification and Microsoft Certified Professional certification - through self study.
In more recent years, I completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Purchasing and Supply Chain Management (University of Aberdeen). I can't really say that this was pursued with a passion for it (although I put in the work) - as work covered the cost - and there were limitations on the subject areas that work would pay out on for courses.

That's the background. With that backdrop, I don't feel I'm best placed for the jobs market. On the plus side, I'm single with no ties other than a house which could be rented out (and the mortgage is covered even without that - so its not a financial noose around my neck). With that, I'd be prepared to go absolutely ANYWHERE for work - when eventually the need arises.

My issue is that I simply don't think I have skills that are in need. I'm a little bit cynical about retraining - well, formal courses really - as doing courses is one thing but the real world application is a completely different world altogether. The other thing is that if I was to retrain at this stage in life, I'd have to get it right! i.e. I really would have to do it in something that I would end up pursuing and even more importantly, one that I could walk into a job with immediately afterwards. I accept the latter may not necessarily be possible in Ireland - but if it was possible somewhere, then I'd be happy with that.

I've also flirted with the idea of working for myself - and more recently browsed through franchise options - but franching seems to be a risky area (i.e there are plenty of dubious franchise 'opportunities' out there).

So - I've rambled a bit - but the bottom line in all of this is that I'm a bit lost really as regards what I should pursue. I know that I do need to have a Plan B ready - but unsure about the specifics.

I'd be interested in any feedback others could provide.

Onthe3rdDay

makeorbrake wrote: »

I've also flirted with the idea of working for myself - and more recently browsed through franchise options

There are only two suggestions I can Make.
1. Work out what you actually want from Life. Are you the working type? Some people love to work 50 or more hours a week others would rather do the minimum. Do you want to travel? It appears foreign fields may be tempting. Write down the questions you'd ask another over the next week, then sit down and answer them from the heart. Don't allow pride get in the way of the right answers.

2. Avoid franchises as much as possible. I know one person that has one, works all hours of the day and night and seems to make no money, two others who came into good lump sums of money blew it all on Franchises. They might work for some people but the vast majority seem to fail. The only one certain to make cash is the Organization selling you the opportunity.

Best of Luck no matter what you decide to do.

worded

Franchising - buying yourself a job

makeorbrake

Thanks to you both for taking the time out to reply.

Onthe3rdDay wrote: »

1. Work out what you actually want from Life.

At the most fundamental level, I've got to make sure that I can achieve some level of full time employment. I don't earn a fortune - about €500/week into the hand plus healthcare/pension scheme.
I'd like to at least achieve that. If I could achieve more, then well and good. I guess who wouldn't like more $ but in truth, it's not necessarily such a big deal for me. I don't have a missus/kids or a salubrious lifestyle - I'm pretty frugal and low maintenance.

Onthe3rdDay wrote: »

Are you the working type? Some people love to work 50 or more hours a week others would rather do the minimum

For what I do right now, absolutely not. I just do the minimum 39 hours. When shift structure was different in the past, I used to do quite a lot of overtime - but not with a sense of enjoyment - purely for the $.
I have worked the 50+ hour scenario in the past - when I was a sales agent (working purely on commission) - in part, because of necessity - although for the most part, I guess I enjoyed what I was doing at that time.

I'd work well in a scenario where my work is largely independent - or part of a small team. I can't stand working with large teams of people.

Onthe3rdDay wrote: »

Do you want to travel? It appears foreign fields may be tempting.

I've lived abroad in the past - and found it very much an opportunity and privilege to do so. However, I'd only feel comfortable going back down that road if the work was stable and afforded me at least a reasonable standard of living.

Over and above that, I don't want to work in a factory environment again. I've 11 years service right now and I really feel the need to get off this hamster wheel! I hate my job.
I guess necessity dictates. If I had to, I guess I would work something similar again. However, ideally, I would prefer not to - I'd also prefer not to work for a U.S. MNC ever again.

Onthe3rdDay wrote: »

2. Avoid franchises as much as possible.

worded wrote:

Franchising - buying yourself a job

Yeah, that's seems to be the case. Much of what I see looks dubious. I only know of one person that has successfully navigated a franchise.