Looking for a career change (please advice)

LBeven2008 on 01/11/2016 - 17:00
Last edited 01/11/2016 - 20:36

First time poster so please be nice. I am a migrant(soon to be 30 years old). I came to Australia on through skilled migration program. I am a toolmaker by trade. Unfortunately there are vere few career opportunities here. What would be the best path to take to change my career. Few optionts I considered is doing apprenticeship in mechanical or electrical field. But the downside is that the apprenticeship wages are too low for me (going to get married in January, I cant postpone it).Is there any thing you would suggest?. I must be working to support my self. I also looked into doing a course at local tafe in surveying but I am not sure whether I can do it part time.

Looking forward to your valuable suggestions.

PS thanks for all your advices you helpful people. How about doing the surveying course? If I could do some odd jobs and finish a course at Tafe would it be better than going into apprenticeship?

Education & Work

Comments

  • skrep on 01/11/2016 - 17:21
    +4

    You can still do an apprenticeship. It's called a mature apprenticeship and depending on the company you work for they will pay around $30/h for first years. As long as your willing to work hard to show you are worth that $30 an hour. Try and steer away from the man in the middle companys because they will need their share so approach some businesses to make sure you keep those few $$$ for yourself and your employer

    • Beven2008 on 01/11/2016 - 17:28
      +2

      Thanks perksie, I am doing a full time job now but am not earning anywhere near $30per hour.Should I search by door knocking for apprenticeship? The only way I know is going through apprenticeship and traineship company.I searched online and did not see any oppenings advertised.

  • ms_caz on 01/11/2016 - 17:58
    +2

    You can find an apprenticeship by door-knocking or joining a recruitment agency but my advice is that you would be best to apply for an apprenticeship or traineeship with a Registered or Group Training Organisation. R/GTO's provide or auspice your training and become your employer. In some cases they circulate you through a variety of workplaces so that you gain experience in a variety of aspects of your trade. The fact that the R/GTO is your employer offers you some security if your industry is in a state of flux as, opposed to a small business, they are probably more likely to be able to withstand an unsettled job market. Also, they are likely to support applicants who are in non-traditional employment categories - including for example women in trades, mature aged apprentices etc.

    You can find information about apprenticeships in general here https://www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au/australian-appr… and about R/GTOs here https://www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au/gto-listing

    YOu can also go to the peak employer body for the different trades eg NECA (National Electrical and Communications Association); VACC (VIctorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce), Master Plumbers Association etc and follow links from them to find their apprenticeship support and/or training arm.

    It is VERY competitive to gain apprenticeships through such avenues BUT there are significant advantages. I think it is worth at least investigating such options so that you are informed. And if you are a toolmaker by trade anyway, you can probably apply for recognition of prior learning so that your actual qualification will not take as long to complete and you can gain full pay status straight away.

    Finally, if you just want to look at a list of training courses that are available to you, here is the address for you to research TAFE courses here in Victoria ( sorry I don't have the addresses for other states but there will be something similar). www.skills.vic.gov.au/victorianskillsgateway/Students/Pages/…

    • Beven2008 on 01/11/2016 - 18:02

      Thanks a lot ms_caz. I really appreciate your advice

  • BensonP on 01/11/2016 - 18:33
    +2

    If you are keen on a career in the electrical field, you could try applying for an apprenticeship at power company. (Jemena, Powercor, Ausnet Services etc. They have yearly apprenticeship intakes, but they are VERY hard to get into. Over 500 people apply for the one position. You could be a linesman or a power technician, and work your way to an A Grade electrical licence.

    You will be paid well as a mature age apprentice; up to 60k a year plus overtime, travel and any allowances.

    But as I said, many apply for the positions, as they pay very well. First year apprentice is about $36,000 a year, and someone just out of their apprenticeship starts on $70,000.

    Hope this helps!

  • releasethekr4cken on 01/11/2016 - 20:26

    I am an electrician, when I was in your position I was 20 and it was 10yrs ago so all my advice no longer applies. But best wishes in your endeavour I am looking at getting out of it and into a job where I don't have to FIFO. I am thinking of studying something but I don't know what..

    • Beven2008 on 01/11/2016 - 20:43

      Thanks releasethekr4cken for taking time to read my post. I thought of doing electrician apprenticeship persuming thet there is a huge demand for them. The company I work for is chasing them and there is always demand.

      • releasethekr4cken on 02/11/2016 - 12:44

        I agree to a certain extent, my dad was an electrician and pretty much roped me into it. I think demand has cooled big time for electricians, trades in general at that. The apprenticeship is 4 years and the quoted figure of $30 p/h for an adult apprentice isn't 100% accurate. I think plumbing is far less glamorous but always in demand and good money. I personally wouldn't switch to it, but have the cert is a solid backup plan.

  • captobvious on 01/11/2016 - 21:48
    +2

    Im a developer. plumbers and electricians kill it in this country. As an apprentice it will be a drag but once you qualify you can start your own business, until you qualify you can top up with cash jobs. Some plumbers and sparkys make more than the doctors i know, it doesn't seem so but the plumbers and sparkys i engage mismanage their funds on sex, drugs, beer and divorces.

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