Working with my hands

[Milliscent]

Right, im 22 this year and ive spent too much money and time sat trying to finish uni when ive had the niggle in the back if my mind saying i should have done or be doing an apprenticeship. and before i get too old i should really put the effort in and do what i should have done in the first place.

ive always liked learning while working i find i learn more and it keeps me interested because im doing it practically rather than filling out a booklet or completing an assignment. and ive always watched or helped any contractors that have come into my house. and back home before i moved out i played a part in building a large extension onto my parents house ive always had an intrest

the only problem ive found is how do i access a trade to gain an apprenticeship ? ive scoured several job-sites and the apprenticeship government site is a pile of poop, if your reading this and your doing an apprenticeship how did you get on yours and what did you need to get onto one ?

[rapearson]

I went around garages with a cv and asked if there were any apprentiships avsliable and got offered a few trials , simple as that

[carlcurtis83]

The best way to get any job/apprenticeship now-a-days is to visit the employer, the job centers have **** all, the internet is a waste when looking for a job.

Contacting a company and asking if they do apprenticeships is a good way to go, also put together a cover letter stating you're interested in a apprenticeship and not a job.

[Sphinx]

Went i left school many moons ago lol, i went to a company called A-Plant and did a diesel fitting apprenticeship . I just rang and asked if they did no and the manager got back to me with in a couple of days saying that i could have it if i want.

Gav

[Milliscent]

The best way to get any job/apprenticeship now-a-days is to visit the employer, the job centers have **** all, the internet is a waste when looking for a job.

Contacting a company and asking if they do apprenticeships is a good way to go, also put together a cover letter stating you're interested in a apprenticeship and not a job.

so its a put in the graft and send my cv to as many contractors as possible and see what i get back from em,

ive applied at toyota and british gas, probmlem im having is application forms only ask questions like, "what work experience did you gain at school" its based around someone who is 16 me thinks we shall see and hope.

[Mini the minx]

Hey Ollie,

Is there any land based colleges here you ??

I work at Reaseheath College is Nantwich (cheshire)

They do hands on courses, qual and apprentiships in construction, joinery, engineering, agricultural engineering, diary, farmimg, animal management, golf course management anything that you class as land based - look on there website - they offer a very such a wide range and its all practical combined with theory

They have full engineering workshops, a working dairy farm, milk/cheese processing plants, the list goes on and on

Give it whirl

[Milliscent]

Hey Ollie,

Is there any land based colleges here you ??

I work at Reaseheath College is Nantwich (cheshire)

They do hands on courses, qual and apprentiships in construction, joinery, engineering, agricultural engineering, diary, farmimg, animal management, golf course management anything that you class as land based - look on there website - they offer a very such a wide range and its all practical combined with theory

They have full engineering workshops, a working dairy farm, milk/cheese processing plants, the list goes on and on

Give it whirl

cheers mini, only problem i have is id rather work with an employer than work to get a qualification to gain employment, and as i have a house 2 ctas a hamster and a fishtank oh and a missus i cant really go without money

[Jonny555]

My son completed the construction courses at Reaseheath and they are very hands on. It's a top notch college.

I can see the need for income though and all I can suggest is getting in touch with as many companies as you can providing them with as much info as you can and as many references as you can. I was head of my department (manufacturing and prototyping emergency and defence orientated vehicles) and dealt with all the work and training enquires and my preference always fell to those who could show they worked hard and had an eager sense to learn as much as they could.

If your willing to put as much effort into finding the right opportunity as you would the job itself it will pay off. We might be in recession, but there are opportunities out there if your willing to go get them.

[Mini the minx]

cheers mini, only problem i have is id rather work with an employer than work to get a qualification to gain employment, and as i have a house 2 ctas a hamster and a fishtank oh and a missus i cant really go without money

Yeah they do quals from you being in 5 days a week to you working through an employer who then send you to the college on block for a couple of weeks out of term - we have people here on our rhs advance courses who are the head gardeners at one stately home or another and we see then maybe 3 times are year but they end up with a degree at the end and still do the job they love.

Then theres students working through car garages who come in once a week and are at the garage the rest of the time

so its the best of both worlds

Theres so many courses and ways around what you want to do - you just gotta find it

[carlcurtis83]

so its a put in the graft and send my cv to as many contractors as possible and see what i get back from em,

ive applied at toyota and british gas, probmlem im having is application forms only ask questions like, "what work experience did you gain at school" its based around someone who is 16 me thinks we shall see and hope.

The reason for that is apprenticeships are mainly for school leavers, I applied for one at 23 with British Gas and got knocked back due to age and the fact they said school leavers, I also applied for a plastering one too and got knocked back on that due to age and being "too old" for an apprenticeship.

It's mad but companies would rather pay

[rc_nutta539]

im applying at the minute, go to your local college, ask for and application form and prospectus, find the course you want to do and fill in the form, and hand it in OR go to your local college and ask them if they can give you information on apprenticeships, as your a apprenticeship entails you to go to college you may ass well start there.

[Milliscent]

i just need to put my name about get upto the college and, see what they offer aswell as asking questions with the employers

i hope i havent written myself off because im 5 years late

[rc_nutta539]

i just need to put my name about get upto the college and, see what they offer aswell as asking questions with the employers

i hope i havent written myself off because im 5 years late

theres a 50 year old on my full time course this year so i wouldnt count your self out for an apprentaship

[cerbrus2]

A CITB funded apprentice cut off age is 25. After that age you will have to either fund it your self, or fined a very nice companey willing to pay for the course for you.

Is it construction you are interested in? Have you got a Gearge wimpey/Taylor Wimpey/ Taylor woodrow building site near you. If so. Go their and ask the site manager for their Contract managers, Number. Phone up the contracts manager and see if you can get on with an apprentiship with them. Either Electrician, Carpenter, or plumber is the normal ones they do.

I say that companey, because they prefer the older apprentices, As they tend to get their head down and work rather than mess around as a school leaver would most likely do. They pay very well too. Wile most aprentices I went to colledge with where on £100 a week. I was taking home £300. and they pay for your travel if you have to work on a site thats more than 5 miles from your home.

And when You finish your aprentiship, they will noramly offer you a Site managers job. I got the offer but didnt take it. As ide rather be hands on. And money is good on building sites m8. I cleared 62 grand last year. Wont be as much this year due to the prices being droped because of the ressesion, But im still not complaining thats for sure.

Looking at the taylor wimpey website their are 6 different sites surrounding the derby area. If construction has finished on what ever site you try. Just go to the sales office. and ask the sales girls for the contracts managers number. Some of the sales girls are lol.

Have a try m8.

As for training, you will be put with one of the Sub contractors to learn from. And you normaly spend 2 weeks at colledge out of every 6. And still get the same money .

Also as a deal sweetener. anybody who works for taylor wimpey will normally get 20% off the price of a new house. so thats £20,000 off the price of a £200,000 house. And the sales girls will normaly get you carpets and such for free as well lol.

Edited April 14, 2010 by cerbrus2

[RickC]

i did my electricians apprentiship at 16 through my employer im now 26 and i would say it would be difficult to get one now at your age (lol sounds like your over the hill), companys get money from the government to help pay for the apprentice, now im not sure if there is an age limit but we have never had any apprentices your age, the best thing to do is night classes, a friend of mine did plumbing night courses whilst still working and looking after his kid and is now a qualified plumber.

Edited April 14, 2010 by RickC

[lewisb]

i actually got min through the governments apprenticeship site you mentioned.

[Milliscent]

A CITB funded apprentice cut off age is 25. After that age you will have to either fund it your self, or fined a very nice companey willing to pay for the course for you.

Is it construction you are interested in? Have you got a Gearge wimpey/Taylor Wimpey/ Taylor woodrow building site near you. If so. Go their and ask the site manager for their Contract managers, Number. Phone up the contracts manager and see if you can get on with an apprentiship with them. Either Electrician, Carpenter, or plumber is the normal ones they do.

I say that companey, because they prefer the older apprentices, As they tend to get their head down and work rather than mess around as a school leaver would most likely do. They pay very well too. Wile most aprentices I went to colledge with where on

[Spoonmeister]

One thing to do is let your uni know you're going for an apprenticeship as they'll probly keep a place "open" for you i.e. if you decide to go back then you won't have to do a foundation year etc

[Milliscent]

One thing to do is let your uni know you're going for an apprenticeship as they'll probly keep a place "open" for you i.e. if you decide to go back then you won't have to do a foundation year etc

if i leave uni im leaving for good...