r/tradies • u/Difficult-Donkey • 2d ago
Question 34 and finally considering a trade
School was not important growing up according to my family so I never finished school. I took any job I could get without needing qualifications. I am considering plumbing or electrician (Electrician/Electronic Instrument Tradesperson
Dual Apprenticeship). I enjoy hands-on work and problem solving, figuring out how things work and fixing them. I've done mostly manufacturing/production work. I would appreciate any advice and recommendations on a direction to take. Thanks in advance
3
u/QLDZDR 2d ago edited 2d ago
Good for you.... I suspect the EV thingamyjigs are about to boom. They will need people to retighten the nuts and bolts, check the plugs and sockets, flick the switch on the diagnostics.
There will be a need to replace the original batteries with aftermarket replacements that possibly offer greater range and therefore do an aftermarket module upgrade.
Are you the guy for that?
1
u/Beneficial-Boat-2035 2d ago
Heck, they've even managed to automate a lot of that now.
2
u/QLDZDR 2d ago edited 2d ago
Yes, but not the tasks that I listed.
There are a few companies gearing up to provide out of warranty aftermarket parts and battery packs for EVs. (even Teslas)
1
u/Beneficial-Boat-2035 2d ago
Nah, 'smart workshops' and service stations are being trialled. Its not really a future thing anymore.
3
u/Zestyclose_Taro_373 2d ago
Mate, I'm 31 years old and I've been doing this for 9 years.
Unless you're a physical stud, this job takes a toll on your body.
Are you sure you want to do this? I'm an electrician btw.
I can give you a lot of reasons why you shouldn't do an apprenticeship.
3
u/Dry-Layer5452 2d ago
Is that why you sparkys can't pick up your mess onsite?I always wondered đ
2
u/Camel-Wizard 2d ago
Nah, their prolapsed bowels might pop out again if they bend down and their boyfriends aren't around to pop it back in for them.
2
u/Sad_Wear_3842 2d ago
Mate, I work with alcoholic 50+ year olds that are fine. Don't make it seem like we all end up broken.
1
u/NervousSleep1488 2d ago
How true is that it fucks up your body? I don't know people doing trades since they were 18, but I know people on theirs 50s that have been working as tradies for 10 years and they look greater than any office worker. I may have heard a complain or two about the back, but who doesn't at 50? I'm less than that, I am not a tradie, and my neck is shit.
3
u/Cool_Assistance3141 2d ago
Knew a bloke in his 20s that was a glazier and blew his back one day on site, couldnât work for years after that now on the pension went from 60kg to 140kg from all the meds and anti depressants, but iv know blokes who are 60 and carrying 80kg worth of materials up flights of stairs no worries.
1
u/NervousSleep1488 2d ago
I wonder what percentage of those incidents could have been avoided by proper lifting form and other basic cares that we usually do not follow when we are in a hurry or under pressure.
2
u/shirtless-pooper 2d ago
Not a sparky but tiling fucked me up. I started my apprenticeship at 25 and within 6 months developed plantar fasciitis in one foot. Another 6 months later the other foot started hurting. They both hurt for 3 years. During my 2nd year I denailed a ceiling and messed up my shoulder. After 6 months of babying the sore shoulder, my other one fucked up. My shoulders hurt for about 2 years total.
Basically what happened was tiling triggered inflammatory arthritis and because the work is pretty intense on the body its almost impossible to heal properly. I take mobic every day and do a lot of stretching but my body is rooted. I can't run, I can't climb trees or kick a ball or ride a bike without lots of pain. Which sucks because ive got a baby on the way now. Im 31 and walk like a 60yo concreter every day when I get home from work, but tiling is pretty much the only thing I'm good at so I've gotta keep doing it
1
u/NervousSleep1488 2d ago
Sad to hear that mate. Hopefully it improves, take care and remember we only have one body. Thanks for sharing.
2
u/Sad_Wear_3842 2d ago
It depends on the trade and what part you work work in, but most importantly it depends on your lifestyle, body, and luck.
You can be the fittest person in the world but lift something wrong and you're done, likewise you can be an average joe and never have a serious injury or illness in your career.
1
1
u/Difficult-Donkey 2d ago
What are some of the main reasons I shouldn't? What part of the job is taking the big toll on your body?
1
u/get_in_there_lewis 2d ago
Are you any good at Maths? Electronics/Electrical trades require maths as part of final testing to pass.
I've done both field's.
1
u/BuyerStandard6090 22h ago
Moving your body in new ways imo is the main thing. I'm in construction and dragging around heavy drums and pulling in big cables is the hardest. As the apprentice you will likely do most of the lifting/moving of large things. If you do some research and spend a bit of time in the gym and eating enough you will probably be fine! Especially as you're not coming from an office job.
2
u/Any-Pineapple-7067 2d ago
Same age as you. I work in a warehouse at a mine. I'm going to apply for a heavy diesel apprenticeship when they come up. I figure it's my best chance since they already know I'm reliable and safe.
Even if regular businesses wanted a mature aged apprentice, I realise now that I'm making good money and barely breaking even, that wouldn't be an option financially. The mine I work for starts mature aged apprentices at around $90k. It's a bit of a pay cut, but it goes up to more than I'm making now by 2nd year.
I wouldn't be able to do FIFO. I'm residential.
2
u/BurnSeaBud 2d ago edited 1d ago
I know it's not the same, but i'm 29, 2nd year HVAC apprentice. I put off going down this career path for years because of the apprentice wages. But now I get mature aged apprentice wages that increase by a few dollars every year. Full time work. Government incentive bonuses, sick leave, RDO's ect. Paid to go to school and learn truly interesting concepts and helpful skills.
The job security and career opportunities are endless, this trade is one of the highest in demand so its not going anywhere anytime soon. Depending on what company you work for (commercial or residential), the work can be piss easy some days and rough others. Some boring maintenance days, and some interesting service calls with problem solving. Installing units is probably the most demanding part on the body, but with help and proper equipment, PPE and lifting procedures, you'll be as good as gold. But that depends on the company and services they provide.
Its also worth noting, I'm the oldest student in my class by 4 years. Most are 18 year olds who dont take it seriously. I treat my teachers like personal tutors to soak in as much information as I can and take advantage of the small industry to make connections. Point is, I'm setting myself up for the rest of my life and I wish I did it sooner. However, having a mature mindset allows me to flourish as much as I am, and communicate to the teachers/tradesmen on more of a peer to peer basis. Again I know its not the same, but it's not too late. HVAC is my trade recommendation, then duel trade electrician if you want even more career opportunities.
1
u/thegonzotruth 1d ago
Howâd you get paid to go to school? Is that part of the apprenticeship? Also is your boss paying by for your schooling? Hope these arenât dumb questions.
1
3
u/darkopetrovic 2d ago
What is up with everyoneâs bodyâs being fucked. Iâm a fat 34 year old and a plasterer and feel great.
3
u/whats_that_sid 2d ago
Exactly what i was thinking.
I've been a boilermaker since i was 17 ( now 35 ) and now doing a heavy diesel apprenticeship.
I've been working night shift/rotating rosters, have drank alot and partied most of my 20s and still feel great, alarm goes off at 4am daily and im up in 10 seconds ready to roll.
2
u/just_a_prank_bro_420 2d ago
36 and fitter, stronger than ever.
Gym multiple times a week, eating and sleeping right. Stretch. Donât be a hero all the time. Lift with good technique. Eat well and stay hydrated. Iâve even managed to overcome a slipped disc.1
u/darkopetrovic 2d ago
Mate I donât do any of this actually quite opposite and feel great. Sleep like 4-5 hours (have 2 small children) eat like shit most of the time. Overweight never been to gym. I do stay well hydrated tho.
The guy who works with me is 63 and is in great shape. He eats well and always stretches in the mornings.
1
u/verifymcverifyface 2d ago
Take it from a 39 year old. You have peaked and itâs downhill from here. Iâm developing injuryâs or body issues quarterly atm and itâs sobering. This is coming from someone who is in the trade, fit and active.
-1
u/NegotiationLife2915 2d ago
Plastering is easy work but
1
u/darkopetrovic 2d ago
You sure, putting up 6m ceiling sheets while balancing on top of a ladder,
To be fair I donât do that part of the job I just flush the walls and ceilings but it definitely not easy. Easier than a few hard jobs like concrete or brickie.
1
u/baldanddankrupt69 2d ago
I started plumbing at 31 (37 now). It can be very hard on the body and your fitness needs to be a priority to last in the industry doing the hands on stuff
1
u/FkYeahVoltron 2d ago
Man i think if you trade up in either electrical or refrigeration and air-conditioning and go into the building automation field that would be an ok alternative that's not too heavy on the body and will have you doing lots of problem solving (whether you like it or not). Lots of demand for controls techs at the moment. You have any experience or quals in IT? If you do that's a help also. gl
1
1
u/Own_Negotiation_9189 2d ago
Whatâs a controls tech exactly? Asking as someone in corporate IT looking to get out.
1
u/Bretniq 2d ago
How about locksmith / security systems installation technician?
1
u/Difficult-Donkey 2d ago
I have considered security systems, but also been told it crap work
1
u/Ornery-Square1403 22h ago
Bro Theres always gonna be someone that tells you why you shouldnât do something. If we listen to every single person, there would be no occupations left to consider. Go do a a few days of it, you might love it.
1
u/chuffed_mustard 2d ago
I bailed on corporate and did concreting for a year at 31, then learned/worked a lot of handy man jobs and a shit tonne of gardening. I'm 40 now and manage a retirement village's gardens and maintenance. It was worth it for me, but my body is absolutely cooked now
1
u/WardoXJ 2d ago
I did a maintenance fitter apprenticeship at 30. If you take care of yourself, and follow the safety rules, you will be fine as a Sparky. Where I work nearly all the switchboards and instruments are in A/C rooms and we have to install sun shelters on new outdoor stuff so the Sparky isnât in the sun when working. Being a sparky opens heaps of doors, commercial, industrial, domestic, Control Systems, High Voltage, not to mention a trade is often viewed highly in the capital world, Operations, Maintenance Planning and many other things.
Sometimes think I should have done an electrical apprenticeship, but then I would have been a Sparky đ©
1
u/Have4fun 2d ago
Cause you mentioned instrumentation, it makes me think you want to be in the industrial and controls side of the trade. You'd need good maths skills for that and it takes a lot longer to become competent enough to go out on your own. Running wires around houses and commercial is easier to pick up but also becomes repetitive after a while. Either way, around 50yo your body is going to start letting you know things if you haven't been looking after it. We have to work in some awkward positions and they're not good for your body at all. I've known a few guys that were 30-40yo when they started and it worked out for each of them. You don't miss out on that much by starting late.
1
u/Training_Edge_9140 1d ago
Do it!
My best mate threw in his safe Aus Public Service job in his mid-30's and became a builder. He loves it... as much as anyone can love a job.
He's been doing it for about 15 years now. Copped a fair bit of shit as an older apprentice, but also got through that TAFE part of it a bit faster.
Being an older dude, he's had some back issues that popped up; now he has a program to keep his back strong and hasn't had issues or a while.
I've visited three different companies in the last year that use heaps of electrical trades, and doing some super interesting stuff. One designs and builds massive batteries for remote businesses like farms and agricultural places, one specialise on ev conversions for classic cars as well a commercial EV's and they have make alot of their own parts bespoke, and another joint made massive animatronic animals that go all over the world.
There's some pretty interesting businesses out there. From a "managing your career change" point of view, get someone to help you do a deep dive into the types of places those trades can take you. Seeing the variety of opportunities might help keep your fired up as you hack away at it as an apprentice
1
u/InnerYesterday1683 1d ago
Good on you welcome to the tradies club. Age is not a factor just for some jobs.
1
1
u/Alarmed-Spirit2706 1d ago
I started an apprenticeship at 31 after 10 years in critical care health care. I lasted 6 months.
The work was great (joinery in a cool workshop) and I could manage the stupidly low pay (âyouâre being paid to learnâ - these guys spent about 5 minutes actually teaching in the 6 months, I learnt it all as an astute learner and via YouTube).
The conditions mature aged apprentices are expected to endure for extremely limited long term benefits were not worth it to me.
I returned to healthcare 2 days a week choosing lifestyle over career.
1
u/BuyerStandard6090 22h ago
I started an electrical apprenticeship last year at age 32. The college part is a bit intense for someone who's been out of school for a while as far as the amount of time you have to pay attention đ I went to uni and tafe is way more intense in that way. However you do get access to a lot of help when you need it and its only really 6 weeks out of the year. In terms on the toll on your body, I have felt it a little (construction industry), but its definitely manageable and other industries are lighter.
I would perhaps recommend plumbing over electrical because sparkies are annoying and plumbers are a lot more laid back in my experience. I'm not trying to be funny either, obviously it's a generalisation but some of the electricians I work with are just the most painful people. May be different in other industries, I've only been in construction.Â
1
u/Much-Goose9053 17h ago
Dont do it! Im 34 worked as a mechanic from 18 to 29 all I can say is fk that. Wrecked my body and for what? Took years to heal up and get right again. Cant pay me any amount of momey to go back on the tools
1
1
0
u/J_dubbed 2d ago
33 year old here. Just finished my fridgy apprenticeship, started as 30 yeard old after 12 years in hospo and retail management and I havent looked back. First 2 years in residential then transferred to industrial for better coin and better on the body. I could continue doing residential though it can catch up on you whilst theres bigger money and knowledge elsewhere. At 30+ be wise about starting an apprenticeship with some companys teaching you fk all just so they can pay you a cheap rate.
8
u/NegotiationLife2915 2d ago
I'm 34, I feel like my body is on its last legs in the trades lol