Can A Young Adult Aged 23 Take An Apprenticeship Or A Learning Job?

Question

I am a 23 year old male living in Cheshire in the UK, I came out of high school with D grades in my GCSE's and never went to college due to not knowing what I wanted to do in life.

I didn't want to spend 2 years learning something that I never enjoyed, so I started working in kitchens thinking I could start from bottom and work my way up. I know work in the gambling industry, and although I have been an assistant manager in my previous job, and took a step down in my current job, I feel like learning a new trade will benefit my career and life.

I am still unsure exactly what I want to do, but would like to do something that would benefit me out of work as well, like becoming a mechanic, or plasterer, or plumber... The list goes on!

I have been looking for courses in colleges and things but this would set me back financially and I would be working all the hours I had spare to earn some money after college. So I thought about apprenticeships, the only problem is, when ever I search for it, it comes up with "under 19 years old" is there anything for any body my age?

Any advise will be a great help, thanks!

Answer 1

Mm it's such a shame I've always thought that you have to make these career choices at age 16 or 17,,some people know others like myself and you obviously haven't a clue at that age.

I left school in 1990 when apprenticeships were very rare,we had the YTS scheme which was a proper scam,I started in kitchens too and have drifted from one job to another.

Unlike you I know what trade I'd do if I could.I'd become a mechanic because I've been into cars since I was a wee boy.I can fix anything,weld perfectly but I don't have that piece of paper that says I can do it so the best job I could get is as a valeter.

I've goe to the dole and the local college and the answers always the same,yes you could put yourself through college and get my ticket but no garage will take you on.

I do homers for people all the time but I can't actually turn it into a full career and go self-employed,no qualifications and people don't care how good you are unless you have the documentation to prove it !!!

You should be able to get something at your age,unlike me I'm 35 now but until you actually know what it is you want to do you'll get nowhere.Look I can tell you from experience there's no point going into something like that because it makes sense,seems like a good idea - you have to have some sort of interest in it.

When you know which one it is then it'll be easier to find a way.There are always ways if you want something enough !!!