Change of career at 25, having problems!

J

JamesJ

Member
I know there are some engineers on this board, so hopefully someone might be able to help slightly?

I have decided to leave retail and begin a career in engineering, now I have no qualifications in this field so I would be starting at the bottom. I thought an apprenticeship would be the best route into this as I could suffer the low wage for a few years, but I have been applying for many and not getting any interviews. I have been on a few assessment days and always done really well on these, I have a good education (although not in relevant subjects other than an A Level in systems & control), with the highest being a HND in music production (not sure why I did this!). I just don't seem to have done much career wise since leaving education and thought I really need to get a move on.

I left my job working nights in a supermarket and I'm currently just doing temp agency factory work - not something I wish to continue with obviously as the boredom is driving me nuts.

Does anyone have any ideas that might help me get into the industry?

If anyone would mind looking at my CV and offering any tips based on that I can send it over!
 
Hi James

I am a machinist and i done a five year engineering apprenticeship 15 years ago. I love the job i do i love being able to say that's what i made today when i leave work. Now engineering is a very broad subject what ( if you know ) type of roll in what type of industry? I have worked in mass production shops and hated it. I have done F1 stuff working for a sub contact company that was ok. I currently run my own teaching workshop in a physics department. Its the best job i have ever had and working for a uni is fantastic. Great working conditions and benefits but also the variety of work we get. I feel i have done my apprenticeship twice over in the 10 years i have been hear due to the variation of work.

Where about in the country may determine to a small degree what sector/ availability of jobs. I live in Oxfordshire so there is a lot of opportunities hear. F1 and scientific industry's and then all the spin off companies and sub contractors.

I got my apprenticeship through a third party ( isis training ) Not sure if they are still around but they where local to Oxford. I know that apprentices don't get payed much any more but when i did mine just about got by. My advice would be to look on local university web sites you will ( from my experience ) get much better training.

If you want to PM me if you have any questions or want any other advice no problem :thumbsup:

Good luck anyway i don't regret taking this path at all.
 
You could do an induction year and then a degree? Induction years are good for people that didnt do the relevant A levels for the course. Its easier than possibly trying at the bottom as your in direct competition with just qualified Uni students. My mate has just graduated from Newcastle and their Uni is pretty awesome for engineering they have contact with Apple and Johnny Ive as thats where he went. From what my mate was saying the contacts are incredible Aston Martin, Jag, Apple loads of oil related companies, F1 etc One works for Mercedes Mclaren doing something to do with suspension and is living such an awesome lifestyle, in a different country every week but again its hard work but for most is a dream job.

It also depends what you want to go into? Electrical? Mechanical?

I dont know alot myself about engineering I have 5-6 mates that all went to Newc coming out and all getting a job straight away. A few of them earning around 35k which isnt bad, and some more out on the oil riggs but non of them have particularly enjoyed it. They are all your (our) age at 25.
 
Hi James
I guess you will be seen as overqualified for the apprenticeships, in terms of life experience as you are 25.
Your obviously capable of studying effectively, and if the money isn't critical at the moment have you considered doing an engineering qualification, then maybe go in at a higher level than apprenticeship?
On the other hand, does the factory you are temping in now have maintenance dept you could approach, maintenance engineering is perhaps a career option, or if the firm outsources this function, could you get in touch with the subcontractor about opportunities ?
Best of luck, the people who chose the right career at first go and did nothing else tend to be bit dull in my experience :)
 
Dont quote me, but i think apprenticeships are generally aimed at students fresh out of school??

I was in the same position as you 5 yrs back (wanted to be a draughtsman). I enrolled on a 'beginner' course for a year whilst applying for a few trainee positions. I applied for a non-trainee position stating that 'i realise i do not have the relevant HND qualification, but please consider me in the future if any trainee positions arise' & enquired re what specific qualifications would they like to see, just a general bit of advice.

I landed the job as they could not find a suitable, fully qualified applicant. I then enrolled again & completed the first yr of my ONC, jumped onto HNC then D, all funded by my company along with day release. (Contemplated continuing on to uni, OU, but the fee's have gone up so my company will only contribute 50% of the fees).

The fact you have a HND is a foot in the door. OK, it might no be relevant to the industry you would like to go into, but it shows you have the ability to learn.

Just look around & fire off your C.V, you might be suprised... alot of gaffers prefer a more 'mature' trainee, enrolling on a part time course such as a C&G course will show initiative & may help too.
You just have to prepare yourself for a few yrs of tightening the belt! :(
 
Some good replies - thanks guys!

I do feel that most probably see me as overqualified for an apprenticeship but as I have no experience, I didn't see many other options.

I did think about doing some training off my own back, so I will have another look at this route and contact some local colleges to see what they say. I have enrolled at a local training provider who try to find applicants placements but so far have heard nothing.

I'm located in the Midlands, Kidderminster to be precise. One other problem I may find is travel. My other hobby (breeding snakes) means I need to stay local and can't spend much time away from home, and it seems many engineering jobs involve periods of time away!

I will explore some of the options given in this thread and see where I get, thanks again for the replies so far!
 
Heres you answer:

minimum wage:
21 and over
£6.19

18 to 20
£4.98

Under 18
£3.68

Apprentice*
£2.65


*This rate is for apprentices under 19 or those in their first year. If you’re 19 or over and past your first year you get the rate that applies to your age.


Why would I pay for a 25 year old and just get one year at £2.65 per hour, when I could choose a 16 year old and get the full apprenticeship at that rate..
 
Always nice to hear a happy ending so just thought I'd update this thread and let you know I've been accepted as an engineering apprentice at Worcester Bosch! Took a long time and lots of let downs but I'm over the moon!
 
JamesJ said:
Always nice to hear a happy ending so just thought I'd update this thread and let you know I've been accepted as an engineering apprentice at Worcester Bosch! Took a long time and lots of let downs but I'm over the moon!
Click to expand...

Fantastic news......takes me back 39 years to 1974 when I started my Engineering apprenticeship.
 
JamesJ said:
Always nice to hear a happy ending so just thought I'd update this thread and let you know I've been accepted as an engineering apprentice at Worcester Bosch! Took a long time and lots of let downs but I'm over the moon!
Click to expand...

A happy ending is always good! Well done, good luck
 
Talksthetorque said:
Well done! So, what sort of stuff are you going to be doing? Everything round the factory? Field work?
Click to expand...

The first year will be basic engineering training beginning at level 2 full time at college, then in the second year I'll start working at the factory spending a few months working in different areas of the business before specialising during years 3/4+ and training to hnc/hnd/degree level, there's a wide range of areas available to work in so hopefully during year 2 I'll get a better idea of what I'm good at and go from there!
 
I missed this first time around :( but congratulations :thumbsup:

I would have asked do you want to make or develop things as it can be as simple as that. To make is the route of an apprentice, develop is the route of a degree and you can of course complete an apprenticeship and move into development, sometimes without gaining a degree.

Whatever I hope you enjoy whatever you do
 
Probably a bit late to add my tuppence worth ......... but

The oilfield (like wot I do) has never been busier and the prospect for the next 5 to 10 years just shows continuous growth.
As far as engineering projects go, they dont get bigger than that.
Im in the drilling side myself ........

The oil field is all about getting off yer bum and making things happen, yes definitely qualifications are a must if you are looking to work for Oil Companies directly, however, most of the work is done by service companies .... and training is all in house. Getting a job is usually all about convincing them you really are enthiusiastic about working ....

Spend time on the web finding out how its all put together, who is involved and how they work ..... then when you have got that far, get on the phone and start knocking on doors.

Most people give up at that point, being its way too much work .... but thats the whole point ....... if you make that much effort, then you will find something ........

Aberdeen local papers recemntly announced that the sector needs to fill 120,000 positions over the next 5 years ........
 
Congratulation! Brave move, but mo doubt exciting!

Goodluck!


Sent from my iPhone 5 using Tapatalk
 
Probably a bit late to add my tuppence worth ......... but

The oilfield (like wot I do) has never been busier and the prospect for the next 5 to 10 years just shows continuous growth.
As far as engineering projects go, they dont get bigger than that.
Im in the drilling side myself ........

The oil field is all about getting off yer bum and making things happen, yes definitely qualifications are a must if you are looking to work for Oil Companies directly, however, most of the work is done by service companies .... and training is all in house. Getting a job is usually all about convincing them you really are enthiusiastic about working ....

Spend time on the web finding out how its all put together, who is involved and how they work ..... then when you have got that far, get on the phone and start knocking on doors.

Most people give up at that point, being its way too much work .... but thats the whole point ....... if you make that much effort, then you will find something ........

Aberdeen local papers recemntly announced that the sector needs to fill 120,000 positions over the next 5 years ........
 
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