Mature age apprentiships?

xr6 ausome · 31-05-2006, 07:58 PM

Ive had enough of my current job, does anyone know of how a matuer aged apprentiship works?

Thanks in advance.

RavenLS1 · 31-05-2006, 07:59 PM

good luck getting one.

xr6 ausome · 31-05-2006, 08:14 PM

Yah ive heard that still like to find out more?

351buzz · 31-05-2006, 08:15 PM

Don't need luck, everyone's crying out for tradeys.
As far as I found out they work the same as normal apprenticeships ie. 4 years, crap wages. I think mature age wages are better $, But are still pretty crap.
I'm 30 and sick of my job and am thinking about getting a trade myself. I don't want to be cutting down tree's in another 20 years time.

Windsor220 · 31-05-2006, 08:22 PM

Works the same as a normal apprenticeship but I'm pretty sure you start on 3rd year wage. (Around $11 an hour from memory).

Martyvan · 31-05-2006, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KJLynx

Works the same as a normal apprenticeship but I'm pretty sure you start on 3rd year wage. (Around $11 an hour from memory).

OUCH, Re Wages... But i guess short term loss for long term gain? After4-5 years it would be paying for itself.

I would approach a larger organisation say something like the Railway in your state or the council/government who would hire a lot of apprentices... not a bad starting point anyway

AUXRVIII · 31-05-2006, 08:29 PM

I started my trade as a mature age apprentice, the only difference was the wage I was paid. Best thing I ever did.

xr6 ausome · 31-05-2006, 08:31 PM

Gr8t how hard was it to find wages etc pls

S3SR · 31-05-2006, 08:33 PM

theres an ad on tv about build your future on a trade or some crap and i think its to do with the QLD government so all i can say is go to your state government website or if you are in the brisbane area i have a really cool contact who got me a traineeship in education queensland and CSIRO

FalconSR

wulos · 31-05-2006, 08:37 PM

I know EnergyAustralia have a quite 'healthy' adult apprentice intake each year. It all depends upon how keen you are to get the job. Last year they took on 144 apprentices (electricians / lineworkers/jointers etc, but also motor mechs & other trades)
They are committed to the NSW state government for 150 apprentices for the next 5 years. (The highest intake for electrical apprentices in NSW)

MO · 31-05-2006, 08:47 PM

Go for it the loss now will be made up in the future...good luck.

AUXRVIII · 31-05-2006, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xr6 ausome

Gr8t how hard was it to find wages etc pls

It was tough being on a low wage, but I was prepared to ride it out for the long term rewards. I had 2 kids when I started & my wife was a stay at home mum, also car loan to pay.

Scott · 31-05-2006, 08:59 PM

Where are you located XR6 ausome?

Olympus · 31-05-2006, 09:04 PM

I'm also looking into this, have been looking at a signwriting apprenticeship.

Penelope Pitstop · 31-05-2006, 09:07 PM

If you are technically minded you could always try for a Trades Assistant position - you don't need any qualifications and get paid normal wages (not as much as a tradie but still better than an aprentice). Only downside is you don't get a formal qualification.

If you live near the mines - approach the companys that have contracts out there.... they are always hiring and the money is very good if you are very keen.

OED666 · 31-05-2006, 09:08 PM

i have been considering this myself, but i still want to continue in my current work. i know 1 day a week it would take a million years, but still it could be something i enjoy doing and a bit of pocket money as well

xr6 ausome · 31-05-2006, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GMH8TR

Where are you located XR6 ausome?

SE MELB

Disco1986 · 31-05-2006, 10:40 PM

the wages for mature aged apprentices has change very recently http://www.safework.sa.gov.au/show_page.jsp?id=5116 has all the changes, which includes a very nice jump in pay espacally for 1st year! im just annoyed i miss out (only 19, 1st year apprentice electrican), but having said that, i still enjoy my job and im just looking forward, at the big picture! Good luck with the apprenticship thing! My only advice is their are prevoc courses at TAFE which do give you a huge advantage in the job market and a possible year off your apprenticship!

**Mechan1k** · 03-06-2006, 12:51 PM

Damn ... is that all you get paid.
Oh well ... there goes my thoughts on that idea.
I'll just stick with what I have now I guess ... cos i get paid a lot more than the adult rate that was shown in that listing in the above link.

rodderz · 03-06-2006, 12:57 PM

Another option could be to get a job in the field if you can as a labourer or assistant, either casual or full time, and do a part time TAFE course which can give you the qualification.

You can earn a bit more cash than in an apprenticeship, learn the field work and get valuable experience, then do all the theory and other prac work at TAFE. But, you wouldnt be qualified as quick

Falcon_Phill · 03-06-2006, 04:38 PM

2 years ago when i was 18 i did an apprenticeship, so did a bunch of other people. One of them was 36, while the rest of us were late teen/early twenties. It seemed a bit wierd. Plus the pay was very very poor so i dont know how he supported his family.

bmx · 04-06-2006, 05:33 PM

ime a first year aprentice carpenter.ime 21 so i am classed as a mature age aprentice.
i earn the same money as my 3rd year older brother because he started before he was 21(haha) if i do 38 hours @ work plus my day at tafe ile take home about $450.wich isnt too bad considering the 16 year olds in my tafe class take home about $260.
theres a few guys in my class that are 30 plus.
what trade are you looking at bro

Qwikcorty · 04-06-2006, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rodderz

Another option could be to get a job in the field if you can as a labourer or assistant, either casual or full time, and do a part time TAFE course which can give you the qualification.

You can earn a bit more cash than in an apprenticeship, learn the field work and get valuable experience, then do all the theory and other prac work at TAFE. But, you wouldnt be qualified as quick

this is where im at right now, finished my fitter machinist apprentichip a year ago, now im doing an advanced diploma in engineering technology, part time after work, hopefully i can go for CAD design jobs in 4-5 years time.

rodderz · 04-06-2006, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Qwikcorty

this is where im at right now, finished my fitter machinist apprentichip a year ago, now im doing an advanced diploma in engineering technology, part time after work, hopefully i can go for CAD design jobs in 4-5 years time.

The hardest bit is doing a full days work then turning around 20 mins later and going out again for 3 hours or so at Tafe, you end up pretty rotten the next day! I did a landscape design course a few years back and Monday nights were a killer!

frenzal · 04-06-2006, 06:46 PM

i am an apprentice and i also do uni part-time as well.
and yeah it does suck working all day and then having to head off to uni for 2 hours on a wednesday and 4 hours on a thursday night as well.
hopefully it will all be worth it in the end though

Qwikcorty · 04-06-2006, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rodderz

The hardest bit is doing a full days work then turning around 20 mins later and going out again for 3 hours or so at Tafe, you end up pretty rotten the next day! I did a landscape design course a few years back and Monday nights were a killer!

they advised me to only do 2 nights a week, and if i did 3 id just burn out and not do well. Cant wait to get it knocked over, Ive been in a rut last year wondering if i was in the right trade as i felt i was going no where.

Disco1986 · 04-06-2006, 10:09 PM

yeah i must admit it would be very hard being an older apprentic like some of the guys at my trade school, but i guess you just need to look a few years down the track when you become qualified! and look at it this way, if you do a 4 year uni course you dont get paided while you learn, thats my two cents worth! (only 3-1/2 yrs to go)

XRchic · 05-06-2006, 12:58 PM

Eamon doesnt earn much more now, as a qualified mechanic, as he did when he was a 4th year apprentice. He reckons there are blokes working there who have been around for years and who still dont earn much more than he does now. I guess thats just mechanics.

Disco1986 · 05-06-2006, 09:28 PM

I guess it depends on which trade you decide to do, i think plumbing and electrical seem to be the higher paid ones, i know my boss makes 45-50 an hour

herbs · 05-06-2006, 11:09 PM

It's worth it, I'm a 3rd year electrical apprentice with Rail here in QLD, I'm now mature age (I started age 20 after a couple of years at uni) I'm on $16 an hour, plus shift penalties etc. I'm doing pretty well for myself now. Best thing I've done.

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