Engineer to Apprentice

CatFromHue · 23-02-2026 06:20PM #1

I'm a fully qualified engineer, graduated about 20 years ago, but have got a bit stuck in my career. I've seen a couple of adverts for apprenticeships that have gotten me thinking.

Just wondering would a company even be interested in an older apprentice who's experienced in a different sector? They're not construction based so the physical work wouldn't be as intense.

Obviously from my side there'd be the financial side to deal with as you get trained up but that would be for me to deal with.

Flinty997 · 23-02-2026 09:22PM

Only one way to find out.

Most older people try get out of trades due to the physicality of it when older. But you hear of people doing it. Just not many.

Beachcomber1097 · 24-02-2026 12:43PM

I used to be a Recruitment Director for a fairly large M and E company.

Older lads with experience who wished to go for an apprenticeship were a very welcome gold-dust-like find. Always loved them as they came with a load of common sense which you cant teach and invariably they came out as much better candidates in the long run. Might also be helpful for getting a few euro extra.

CatFromHue · 24-02-2026 06:05PM

Thanks for that.

I would have thought there might be a reluctance for a company to take on an older apprentice as they would be worried that they might leave and not complete it. I'm literally basing this on nothing though!

Beachcomber1097 · 18-03-2026 06:01PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124262524#Comment_124262524

No hassle.

Yes, it is something that is considered, but generally i would have seen it as a positive.

jimgoose · 18-03-2026 06:06PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124262524#Comment_124262524

Nah, I'd say it's generally understood that a "seasoned" fella will know what he's about and not be doing things like that on any sort of whim.

salmocab · 18-03-2026 06:17PM

I’ve had a lot of apprentices over the years and in general the best ones were older lads who already had the edges knocked off them. Only had one who had done like you are talking about being a good bit older and he was excellent.

RaggyDays · 23-03-2026 09:35PM

I found myself unemployed in my early 50s, I always liked technology, software, hardware etc I ended up doing one of those newer Tech apprenticeships in software development, there were folks of all ages, I was the oldest but never felt old iykwim I got on well, liked the program, made lifelong friends, and ended up getting a permanent job afterwards. 5 years later and I've got my second promotion.

I find the work rewarding but it can be tiring, I wonder is it down to my age at times.

So it worked out well for me, I know this hasn't been the case for all of those in the same program, some people got very little out of it after.

My advice is to only do it if you really like the subject area as if it was a hobby. Then it does not feel like work.

Engineer to Apprentice

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