Were you a late entrant to the trades?

Career changes were the topic of the latest #TradesTalk Twitter chat.

If you weren’t able to tune in, here is our round-up of the best bits…

QUESTION ONE

Pretty much all the women plumbers at Stopcocks did something else first. @HattieHasan was a teacher, @Stopcocks_Kent was a bike doctor, Julie a nurse & engineer, @JadeStopcocks worked in a merchants…

— Women Plumbers (@Stopcocks) August 13, 2019

A1: Different route as those in the 'upper' streams at school weren’t allowed to do certain practical subjects but the advantage afterwards was gaining a diverse skill set and the ability to apply them later in life #TradesTalk

— ChiElectricians (@Chichester_Elec) August 13, 2019

A1. When at school I wanted to go into the fire service. Didn't fit their application quota, my a-levels meant I could go to uni to read computing & information systems, got a graduate job in stats, jacked that in after 3 yrs to become a deccy #TradesTalk

— Al Fitzjohn (@AJFitzLtd) August 13, 2019

I’m 29, used to be a teacher and looking to becoming an electrician via apprenticeship, still looking for an employer, as @Shes_ElectricUK pointed out it’s pretty tough route in but I’m not giving in!

— vicky (@vfrisby1989) August 13, 2019

QUESTION TWO

Wanted to switch in order to add value to the world of Trades. Not is was extremely difficult to switch, however, was determined and have now found a lovely community on Social Media

— Karen Boom (@Shes_ElectricUK) August 13, 2019

A2. Saw a lot changing career when I was teaching, they used come in after work from 5.30 to 8.30 and were some of the best dedicated students that I taught. They wanted it and it showed. #tradestalk

— Paul Williams (@AWilliamsltd) August 13, 2019

A2 We had a chap join after being made redundant from a butchers role at 36. That was 3 years ago, he's now an nvq2 qualified carpenter and has made huge strides forward, by far one of the best people we've had come through in ages! #tradestalk

— Paul Fasham (@fash1985) August 13, 2019

No, it was BLOODY hard. Working a normal 8-5, then doing private work in the evening. Sometimes getting home at 10pm. Missed some key moments in the kids' lives, when they were younger. Paying off now, though, which is nice. 🙂#tradestalk

— Plumbingwerx (@PlumbingwerxUK) August 13, 2019

QUESTION THREE

A3 – I work longer hours, work harder, but enjoy it more and I appreciate things now I didn’t back then. #TradesTalk

— Damon Blakemore (@Damon_BPH) August 13, 2019

A3 I don't have more spare time with all the admin but it's far more rewarding. No pointless internal meetings, set your own working hours, you choose what you wear, drive, who you work for. A sense of completion every day which is lacking in most office jobs. #TradesTalk

— Oilcanfinish Landscaping and Property Maintenance (@oilcanfinish) August 13, 2019

A3) Previous dead end jobs were boring as hell. There weren't any, "I installed/fixed that" feeling when I'd finished at the end of the day/week. So it became very monotonous. Now I'm learning/doing plumbing, the feeling is miles better and more enjoyable #TradesTalk

— Twisted Future (@Bearded_Toaster) August 13, 2019

QUESTION FOUR

it all depends really! right now I love what i do. if i ever feel unhappy or not fulfilled by what i do, i will do something else then. #TradesTalk

— Artisan Electrics (@ArtElectrics) August 13, 2019

https://twitter.com/JoshuaStainsby/status/1161367922813677568?s=20

https://twitter.com/DrBoilers/status/1161363452948033537?s=20

A4- I switched to full time training and consulting a few years ago as I couldn't compete with others undermining our value. So now I try to teach my standards and values back into the masses. #TradesTalk

— SparkyNinja (@Sparky_Ninja) August 13, 2019

QUESTION FIVE

We definitely see discrimination against older people from employers. Put another way: It's hard enough having a young apprentice (financially, time wise) having one who has world savvy can be a step too far. But some employers really 'get' what older trainees bring the party

— Women Plumbers (@Stopcocks) August 13, 2019

The cost of starting something new. Schooling and supplies aren't free. There's also the barriers of not being a young kid fresh out of high school (ageism) and also bias or skepticism of the employer or possible support systems #TradesTalk

— White Bear Plumbing (@BearPlumbing) August 13, 2019

A5 being much more expensive in minimum wage than a 16yo and employer not getting a grant if you’re over 19. People want to help youngsters more as well which is fair enough

— Ellen (@EllenPlumber) August 13, 2019

QUESTION SIX

https://twitter.com/fash1985/status/1161367413813850112?s=20

A6: Choose your trade, find an area to specialise in so you can charge more for it and reap the rewards…wish I’d been told that many years ago #TradesTalk #JFDI

— ChiElectricians (@Chichester_Elec) August 13, 2019

A6: Read, read, and read some more. Then practice, learn everything you can, make it a mission. Volunteer your time to hang out with experienced guys, doing whatever, labouring for them, watch and learn. Start investing in tools. Nothing counts more than experience #TradesTalk

— London Gas (@LondonGas) August 13, 2019