I need a new career

[stevepeanut]

After working in a factory for 8 years, I got made redundant and I took a job fitting loft insulation. I was meant to be a 3 monthscontract. 3 years ago, I wanted a transfer from Sunderland to the Leeds branch, they wouldnt sort it so I put my notice in, same day they sorted the transfer. Now 6 years later I am still doing lofts. Now its time for a change.

 

Plus points

1 last few years I made £22-£25k

2 Mon-Fri day shift, so home on a night, and weekends off

3 I got a van which I can use to get home so dont pay fuel to work (cant use it out of hours)

4 work on my own, so keep myself to myself

 

Negative points

1 Crawling round lofts banging my head, getting filthy, is a crap job

2 My body is slowly getting wrecked

3 Being expected to travel in my own time, and not getting paid for it

4 No lunch, often 12 hours a day without stopping

5 Boss gives me more work than is humanly possible in 1 day, then gives me so much hassle because I cant get it done

 

I really think I have had enough now, but what do I do? I make good money, and have my nights and weekends, but I cant stand my job, and never get enough sleep. I left school with basic GCSEs and A level IT.

 

I love working on cars, and bikes, thats my passion, but every mechanic I know really hates it. Do I find a job I enjoy and loose some money, or keep going as I am doing a job I hate to make some cash?

 

anyone got any thoughts?

[antz]

being a mechanic will put you off working on your own car i imagine.

 

what about going back to college and studying some more for some more qualifications? or maybe an apprenticeship cos they are coming back in.

[richie_stix]

yeah, i would say go for an apprentiship... I just finished uni, am poor as fook and in bare debt and the most i will probably earn without '3 years experience' is 11k... my sisiter didn't bother with uni and started straight in at the bottom, but can only go up.. much better way of doing it!

[stevepeanut]

fully time study is a no-go as I got a house and bills to pay for. I dunno if anyone would take me as an apprentice at 33 years old, but I would deffo go for that if something came up

[antz]

i work with a guy who is 40 years old and doing an apprenticeship in accountancy

[richie_stix]

i work with a guy who is 40 years old and doing an apprenticeship in accountancy

 

thats what my sister is doing, she goes to college like once a week during college term time, each year she gains new qualifications and each qualification means better pay!

[NHR115]

fully time study is a no-go as I got a house and bills to pay for. I dunno if anyone would take me as an apprentice at 33 years old, but I would deffo go for that if something came up

#

 

The government are pushing adult apprenticeships at the minute, its just a case of finding something you want to do and in an area close to you. Good luck with it all though

[Mk2Jo]

If you have a mahoosive mortgage and a family to support then you prob won't be able to do an apprenticeship cos you won't have the money coming in that you need to live (all depends on your outgoings).

 

The "safe" option would be to get a job with another company doing the same thing if you want the same income I guess

 

I got really p'eed off with the company I work for back in January and even went for an interview somewhere else (been here 18 years) but things calmed down here (boss taking the piss) and I am still plodding and it fits in with my lifestyle and the kids (pick ups during the day, sports day, parents stuff etc) and the money is pretty good so I have stayed.

 

Good luck with whatever path you take mate - it's not an easy one

[c1arke]

am a ground worker and am one of the lucky people that loves their job, and the feller i work with, so ether get a new job doing wat u like if you dont enjoy it change, or tell you company you want a lad working with you so you can have a laff and the work load is split

[stevepeanut]

am a ground worker and am one of the lucky people that loves their job, and the feller i work with, so ether get a new job doing wat u like if you dont enjoy it change, or tell you company you want a lad working with you so you can have a laff and the work load is split

 

I get paid per house, so if I get a mate, the wage is split 50/50 between us.

[stevepeanut]

If you have a mahoosive mortgage and a family to support then you prob won't be able to do an apprenticeship cos you won't have the money coming in that you need to live (all depends on your outgoings).

 

The "safe" option would be to get a job with another company doing the same thing if you want the same income I guess

 

I got really p'eed off with the company I work for back in January and even went for an interview somewhere else (been here 18 years) but things calmed down here (boss taking the piss) and I am still plodding and it fits in with my lifestyle and the kids (pick ups during the day, sports day, parents stuff etc) and the money is pretty good so I have stayed.

 

Good luck with whatever path you take mate - it's not an easy one

 

I have been thinking of swapping companys. A few lads have left our place and gone to a rival insulation company up the road. The only downside to that is they dont let you take the van home, which would mean the capri being put into everyday use, and the enormous V6 fuel bill.

 

I could cut down on my outgoings a lot. I am just used to having a good wage, me and the missus both work full time, so we can afford to run the house, and have the day to day astra, a motorbike each, and an old ford each. But I would sacrifice things for a couple of years to get into a job I love.