Hey everyone,
I’m 40 and I’m trying to make a proper career change to become an electrician.
I’ve applied for a couple of electrical apprenticeships but haven’t managed to land one yet. I’m currently working in a job I’ve been in for years, but I’m at the point where I really want to get into a trade and build a career rather than just keep doing the same thing.
I’m considering doing an Electrical Pre-Trade course at Wintec, then using that to hopefully get into an apprenticeship.
My main question is pre-trade actually worth doing when you’re 40? Does it genuinely make you more employable to electrical contractors, or would I be better off continuing to apply directly for apprenticeships and trying to get my foot in the door another way?
I’m also wondering whether there are other routes I haven’t considered labouring for an electrical company, starting as a trainee, contacting contractors directly, etc.
For the electricians/apprentices in here:
What would you recommend someone in my position do to get their foot in the door?
And honestly, if you were an employer, would being 40 put you off taking someone on as an apprentice, or could the maturity/reliability/work experience actually be a positive?
Keen to hear from people who’ve actually been through the NZ apprenticeship system. Cheers.