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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU to think that at 40 years of age I can apply for and do an apprenticeship?

44 replies

DeadZed · 27/01/2019 15:09

I am really torn - I need to find a job soon. I have a few random qualifications, I'm fairly intelligent but I've never had a career.

I am now suddenly a single parent to four dc. I could get a job (I think fairly easily) - shop work, care work.

But I need something that will give me something to work for, I have a 30 year working span in front of me. When the dc reach 18 (youngest is 10) I will need to be able to support myself and help them through uni.

I've been looking on the government website at apprentices. I could work for small pay for two years and then have a qualification and a job. Things like dental nursing interest me.

So my AIBU is can I? Will be taken seriously? Is it viable? Has anyone else done it? I allways understood the the level three apprenticeships were for 16 - 18 year olds.
Help me, I'm in such a mess.

OP posts:

ballstomonty · 27/01/2019 16:40

Ok you can train as a dental nurse whilst working in general practice. I did this then went on to dental school.

SisyphusHadItEasy · 27/01/2019 16:46

I had a degree in Cognitive Science. Now, a couple of decades later, I am redirecting my focus.

Redcliff · 27/01/2019 17:08

You can do an apprenticeship that is a lower grade qualification then you already have as long as you can show "new learning" - so if you had a science degree and wanted to do a level 4 in HR that is fine but not if you already had a HR degree.

Ted27 · 27/01/2019 17:42

I work in the Dept for Education. I have two apprentices in my team, one is in her 30s, the other is in his 50s. They are in entry level posts (Executive Assistant (EA) grade) they get paid on the EA scale approx 19k and have all other civil service benefits Apprenticeship is for a year

MissCharleyP · 27/01/2019 18:20

Really Redcliff? I was wanting to do...well pretty much anything but all the info I read (on gov.uk) seemed to imply I would either have to self-fund (can’t afford) or not do it. After a Google though, I can see that I could do it but would need a student loan and an understanding employer!

wantmorenow · 27/01/2019 18:38

I have supported apprentices with MSc doing level 3 quals as they qualified because it was i an unrelated area. redcliffe is spot on. Age was widely varied and included up to mid fifties.

Also there is funding now for second degrees in certain subject areas e.g.IT, engineering, STEM subjects and psychology etc although they may have to be undertaken as part time courses.
Go for it.
www.open.ac.uk/courses/fees-and-funding/equivalent-qualifications

Isleepinahedgefund · 27/01/2019 18:44

Apprenticeships used to have an age limit but don't anymore. Lots of ours are older these days. Just be sure to check the offer is genuine, well run and you won't just be a low paid skivvy for a year. Also check if there is a position available at the end of it, and what you need to do to ensure it is offered to you.

TantricTwist · 27/01/2019 19:39

You could get a job as an HCA in an NHS run facility ie not a private care home and then they can sponsor you to train to become a nursing associate in a couple of years. Would give you something to aim for perhaps and you have of course the experience of caring for your late DH.

UnderMajorDomoMinor · 27/01/2019 19:41

There are 2 in their 50s at my work and one in her 40s at the salon I go to.

ToastyFingers · 27/01/2019 20:01

If you can drive, BT offer an engineering apprenticeship, no age requirements and starts at 23k pa.

I don't work for them, I promise.

CodLiverOil556 · 27/01/2019 20:22

I'm starting an apprenticeship in April and I've just turned 40. Go for it I say

MrsSchadenfreude · 27/01/2019 20:31

I did some interviewing for apprentices for a civil service department in my last job. We interviewed 18 year old school leavers, people in their 20s and 30s, and some in their 40s and 50s who wanted a change of career. This was Central London, and the pay was around £25K, with 4 days in the office and one day training. They took on a mix of all ages and backgrounds.

KatieKittens · 27/01/2019 20:48

It’s worth asking for advice about apprentiship programmes when you go to your job center meeting. However, you will have other options too. At the meeting, the job center advisor might not have time to flesh out career paths with you ( or have the knowledge to do so) and it would be easy for them to recommend a ready made government programme.

You May find it of use to talk to someone at the national careers service

nationalcareersservice

Personally I would avoid an apprentiship programme if I could gain employment and a full wage in an entry level role, then engage in work place learning such as a National Vocational Qualification to then move into a qualified position.

It’s worth researching career pathways for the roles you are interested in.

Original poster

DeadZed · 27/01/2019 20:49

Lots of encouraging stories here. I am pretty sure that the age requirement is not under 26 as there was nothing on the site about age and they all talk about different rates of pay depending on age. I am nervous of making a fool of myself but then I need to be level headed and practical.

I need to find out about the money really. I was assuming that child and working tax would still pay like they would for any normal job.

OP posts:

KatieKittens · 27/01/2019 20:51

^ my comments relate to the government schemes where you earn less than minimum wage

moreshitandnofuckingredemption · 27/01/2019 20:53

Nothing useful to add but wanted to say sorry for your loss and absolute best of luck to you

Original poster

DeadZed · 27/01/2019 20:55

Thanks KatieKittens - when dh was poorly I took the AAT level two and three qualifications but have no experience so I am struggling a bit because of that. The plan was to work alongside but dh became too ill quite quickly and in the end I couldn't leave him for long enough.

I will ask when I go to the meeting on Tuesday and see what they say. Really hoping I get someone knowledgeable and helpful.
Asking for the moon

When I was younger I so much wanted to be a nurse but I just can't afford it now there are no bursaries, plus I am reluctant to do weekend work now. The dc only have me to rely on and in an ideal world I would like to keep weekends for us.

OP posts:

moodyblues · 27/01/2019 21:05

I will be watching this thread with interest, I’m 42 and very keen to do an apprenticeship, it’s very encouraging to read that it might be possible.

SoloClarinet · 27/01/2019 22:33

I think you can't do an apprenticeship that would lead to a lower qualification than you already have, in the same field/ subject. That doesn't apply for a new area of study/work.

Also be slightly cautious about dental nursing apprenticeships - check that the provider isn't just offering a training scheme with no job at the end (there are quite a lot of IT training courses like that too).

You get the minimum apprenticeship wage in the first year, and then the minimum wage after that.

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