Is 50 too old for a new career?

[peter.s]

Hi, I’m new here

I’ve been reading this forum and researching trade courses for some time now because I’m wanting to make a career change. I have not worked in the industry before, but I am multi-skilled and have no doubt that I have the capacity to make a good electrician… but the trouble is, I will be turning 50 in a few months.

At first I thought I could just do a C&G 2365 and then get a job and quickly qualify as an Electrician… But in reality I think it will be a lot more challenging to find work at my age. And if I did find a job, I would be working as an underling for several years before gaining my qualifications and upping my wage.

I’m keen to hear some honest opinions from the professionals. Would I be wasting my time and money to get trained up? And would any firm employ a fifty-year-old novice?

 

[telectrix]

But think of all the baggage someone of that age would bring, he will no doubt need a good income, could be set in his ways, could come with medical issues and the list goes on and all this while your trying to teach him a very hard trade.
That's why I said no thanks!!!!!

i can see your point, but bear in mind, that 50+ year old may have a load of experience, could be ex-forces with a bit of a pension, mortgage paid off, kids flown the nest. every situ on it's own merits.

 

[Moley]

starts tomorrow six nations ,cant wait .

Tomorrow? I must have invented time travel as the Wales/France match is on TV right now.

 

[Starjack]

But think of all the baggage someone of that age would bring, he will no doubt need a good income, could be set in his ways, could come with medical issues and the list goes on and all this while your trying to teach him a very hard trade.
That's why I said no thanks!!!!!

How can 2 members disagree with me, are you saying he couldn't have any of the issues I mentioned or do you have a crystal ball.
Silly rating to give in my opinion.

 

[buzzlightyear]

let me say to the op just go for it ,if theirs nothing to stop you ,has Jim
Bowen you to say why not.

 

[Moley]

I see no reason not to take on someone at 50. At least they are not liable to be sat on their phone all day or phoning in sick every week. If you've got the enthusiasm to learn then go for it. I had a major job change in my mid 40s. I was night shift factory maintenance. Factory closed and now I clamber about on top of transformers at power stations, repair LV/HV/EHV switchgear, fault gas analysis and an assortment of other jobs I didn't even know existed. You are never too old to learn and there's someone out there who will employ you.

 

[7029 dave]

Hi, I’m new here

I’ve been reading this forum and researching trade courses for some time now because I’m wanting to make a career change. I have not worked in the industry before, but I am multi-skilled and have no doubt that I have the capacity to make a good electrician… but the trouble is, I will be turning 50 in a few months.

At first I thought I could just do a C&G 2365 and then get a job and quickly qualify as an Electrician… But in reality I think it will be a lot more challenging to find work at my age. And if I did find a job, I would be working as an underling for several years before gaining my qualifications and upping my wage.

I’m keen to hear some honest opinions from the professionals. Would I be wasting my time and money to get trained up? And would any firm employ a fifty-year-old novice?

Hi, it is quite physical, anyway I done my gas safe course in 2017, at the age of 53. Crack on.!!

 

[westward10]

How can 2 members disagree with me, are you saying he couldn't have any of the issues I mentioned or do you have a crystal ball.
Silly rating to give in my opinion.

How old are you Starjacky boy.

 

[Starjack]

let me say to the op just go for it ,if theirs nothing to stop you ,has Jim
Bowen you to say why not.

Firstly I'm new here so don't know any members or their quirky ways but I have been reading a few of your posts and just have to ask you if you're speaking a language I'm not familiar with, I've come across a few in my time but yours is by far the strangest one I've encountered. Are you speaking with fork tongue or something.
Just curious really!!!

 

[Starjack]

How old are you Starjacky boy.

38 westwardy, how about you.
Hang on I haven't accidently joined a dating site have I.

 

[telectrix]

38 westwardy, how about you.
Hang on I haven't accidently joined a dating site have I.

on this forum you will find quirkeys, sarceys, cynics, alkeys, trolls, bullshi$$ers, and maybe a few knowledgeable posts. feel free to browse , rip, terrify, and otherwise cause mayhem. but the n beware. you come into my web..there is no escape.you will be assimilated into the Borg.

 

[SparkyChick]

quirkeys, sarceys, cynics, alkeys, trolls, bullshi$$ers, and maybe a few knowledgeable posts.

And that's just from Tel

Welcome to the forum @Starjack .

 

[Starjack]

Cheers @SparkyChick
I bet you're nice to work with, a female sparky really appeals to my dark and dirty side.

 

[rapparee]

Cheers @SparkyChick
I bet you're nice to work with, a female sparky really appeals to my dark and dirty side.

Yes, she's a beauty to behold

That's a photo of her in her Avatar. Whilst looking at yours I see you are some sort of satanist.

 

[SparkyChick]

Dark and dirty... struggling to find a lighting fault covered in brick dust???

 

[n180]

IMO it can be done at 50 but it's going to be really really tough. Only you can analyse your own situation.

Some things to bare in mind:

It's a physically demanding job, how physically fit and active are you?

You won't be earning anything decent for the first 5 years, especially with expenses on courses. Is that an issue for you, do you have family relying on you for bread and butter you're going to find difficult to provide for a few years?

As harsh as it sounds, a lot of companies won't be employing you at 50 without experience. You'll be lucky to get someone to take you on. Alot of people would rather employ telectrix at 72 with his experience, than someone at 50 without any experience.

Do you have any medical issues like starjack pointed out. This is not a job you'll sit behind a desk with medical issues. You'll be getting dirty, smelly, aching body on many days you by the time you get home.

 

[Darkwood]

@Starjack

I would ask your background as you seem to be a little shy in filling in your profile as I just want to see where your comment earlier comes from about him been too old and you wouldn't employ him?
Do you have experience running a business and employing people?

I am pushing that 50 mark and I would definitely employ a 50yr old against a school leaver nowadays given the mindset of the majority of kids coming out of school over the last decade, I'm pushing fifty and have had enough apprentices to know what age groups tend to be an asset to my business and those that aren't.
I am still as fit and active as I was at 20 so interested to hear why you see a 50yr old as too old, I often pull in some mates in there 50's when I need an extra hand and never had any issues to press.

PS welcome to the forum.

 

[Sintra]

@Starjack How do you even know that @SparkyChick is a female. The internet can be a deceiving place.

 

[Starjack]

@Starjack How do you even know that @SparkyChick is a female. The internet can be a deceiving place.

Just presumed with her name and that sexy Avatar, I do like a woman that doesn't shave.

 

[electric al]

I would say if you want to re -train and you can find a way to do it go for it . It’s good to learn new things at any age and at 50 you still have probably 20 years of your working life ahead of you ; more if you remain in good health and you want to continue beyond . Someone will employ you .I’ve come across people from various unorthodox backgrounds over the years . Good luck fella

 

[FatAlan]

Waste of time , be better staying with what you know, I wouldn't employ you or anyone else at that age.

Let us know the name of your business and we’ll stay clear

 

[FatAlan]

But think of all the baggage someone of that age would bring, he will no doubt need a good income, could be set in his ways, could come with medical issues and the list goes on and all this while your trying to teach him a very hard trade.
That's why I said no thanks!!!!!

You sure you’re not a fisherman Starjack? I think you might hall in a big catch on this thread.

 

[Starjack]

Let us know the name of your business and we’ll stay clear

Why , are you another foolish disillusioned 50 year old.

 

[FatAlan]

But think of all the baggage someone of that age would bring, he will no doubt need a good income, could be set in his ways, could come with medical issues and the list goes on and all this while your trying to teach him a very hard trade.
That's why I said no thanks!!!!!

You sure you’re not a fisherman Starjack? I think you might hall in a big catch on this thread.

 

[Starjack]

@Starjack

I would ask your background as you seem to be a little shy in filling in your profile as I just want to see where your comment earlier comes from about him been too old and you wouldn't employ him?
Do you have experience running a business and employing people?

I am pushing that 50 mark and I would definitely employ a 50yr old against a school leaver nowadays given the mindset of the majority of kids coming out of school over the last decade, I'm pushing fifty and have had enough apprentices to know what age groups tend to be an asset to my business and those that aren't.
I am still as fit and active as I was at 20 so interested to hear why you see a 50yr old as too old, I often pull in some mates in there 50's when I need an extra hand and never had any issues to press.

PS welcome to the forum.

Is there anyone on here that's not 50, apart from me.
I run my own business, I am fully qualified and employ 17 full time electricians.
They range from 20 - 45 but the ones at 45 have been electricians all their life. I even employed a midget for a " short " period.
He had to go though once the new socket heights came in plus he was no use for mashing as the worktop was to high for him. I did actually like him but you have to cut away dead wood, no sentiment allowed when running a multi- million pound business.
Oh and sorry to hear your very nearly 50.

 

[FatAlan]

Why , are you another foolish disillusioned 50 year old.

No, 55 year old recently retired police officer who, very luckily would not be reliant on earning a high wage, is fit and well (passed higher level annual fitness test for shield trained riot officers), very interested and absorbed by the electrician trade, has own tools, can get out of bed in the morning and would do what I’m told to do without looking at my phone every 30 seconds. Still I understand some people prefer younger men ... and midgets.