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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think about quitting my WFH job to re-train as a plasterer?

324 replies

confusedlady10 · 28/10/2025 12:38

Would I be stupid or unreasonable to consider quitting my job and re-train in a new field as a plasterer? I am a 29 year old single mum WFH in a dead end call centre job. It’s quite niche as it involves investigating specialist fraud cases but is still mainly a customer service job. The pay isn’t that great (£2k pm after tax living in London) and I’m fortunate to be able to live in cheap accommodation through family, but it’s not sustainable.

I’ve had applied for hundreds of jobs to try in earn more money and elevate, even paid someone to re-write my CV and do an extra qualification in my field within finance. But I don’t have a degree and regardless, I’m struggling to stand out. Hundreds of applicants, countless ghosting's and unfortunatelys after an odd interview. Finance, admin and banking sectors seem to be too saturated whether remote, hybrid or office.

So I was thinking to quit my job, apply for universal credit of some sort (started doing research on what they can support me with) and then hopefully retrain as a plasterer in a course to try and better myself as I heard that there’s good money if you are a skilled labour and could hopefully work for myself or another company. I would hopefully be able to work it around my son and less competition for the jobs I am not getting. Am I wasting my time and dreaming? (I have no experience in this and trying anything to earn more at the moment, whilst still applying for jobs like crazy, pls be nice!) 😣

OP posts:
Tamfs · 28/10/2025 12:40

It's not a crazy dream, do what works makes you happy. But YABU for thinking it's easy enough to just quit your job and go on Universal Credit. It doesn't work like that. They will be expecting you to get another -any- job asap.

Snorlaxo · 28/10/2025 12:42

The tradesmen I know often finish work in time to get to their child’s school for pick up.

Out of interest, why plasterer out of all the trades?

CatherinedeBourgh · 28/10/2025 12:42

Do you have any experience of plastering? How physically fit are you? Why plastering as opposed to another trade?

I think a trade is a great idea, but do research the various options before choosing one.

DriveVerySlowlyPastNumber23IWantThemToSeeMyHat · 28/10/2025 12:43

Are you physically fit? Plastering is a very demanding job on the body and the issue with being self employed is should you get a bad back etc, you'd struggle financially?

It's good you're trying to better yourself 😊

Notthisagainyouidiot · 28/10/2025 12:44

Could you try and find an evening course to try out plastering? I'd be wary of quitting a job to take up something I've not even tried. Are you relatively strong for lifting and good on ladders?

TheNinkyNonkyIsATardis · 28/10/2025 12:45

I have actually mildly investigated this. I think that if you're a woman, some people will prefer that, others will fight shy, and it will about break even.

The one thing you will really need to consider first and foremost is your upper body strength. I've done various plastering and small building and construction work in my home, and although I can do it, I'm slower and there's a lot more heaving than tradies who come and lift the same stuff easily.

You'll struggle to do jobs back to back unless you work on your strength first, let alone any training for the actual job etc.

Original poster
confusedlady10 · 28/10/2025 12:46

Tamfs · 28/10/2025 12:40

It's not a crazy dream, do what works makes you happy. But YABU for thinking it's easy enough to just quit your job and go on Universal Credit. It doesn't work like that. They will be expecting you to get another -any- job asap.

Oh no, I'd have to apply for another job. The UC would only be to help to top up a part time job while I do the course. I'd still plan on working, hopefully in anything. My job is full time only, they don't hire part time roles.

OP posts:
MeetMyCat · 28/10/2025 12:46

It's worth noting that the building industry is being hit by the cost of living crisis, people have less money and are spending less money on building work/home improvements etc. And you'll need a good customer base before you start earning good money, unless you're thinking of site work, which won't offer child friendly hours.

DH is a self employed tradesman, and whilst he does earn good money, its extremely work and the hours are not as flexible as people think. Don't forget, no holiday pay, no sick pay, no employers pension etc

So whilst its certainly worth thinking about, please do your homework before you quit your current job.

Bobbingtons · 28/10/2025 12:47

Id say go for it. About 20 years ago I was getting fed up of my career in IT and was very much in a slump and considered having it all in and retaining as a plumber. For me circumstances changed and I got some good career opportunities, but I still look back occasionally and regret not taking the plunge.

Original poster
confusedlady10 · 28/10/2025 12:48

Snorlaxo · 28/10/2025 12:42

The tradesmen I know often finish work in time to get to their child’s school for pick up.

Out of interest, why plasterer out of all the trades?

I don't think I have the skill and education to do something technical like an electrician, and the course fees are too high for those anyway. I'd rather something indoor than say weather dependant labour jobs like a Bricklayer. I was thinking about a trade as I could do a skill and hoping I will have a more flexible role I could work around my life with less competition than admin/finance.

OP posts:
gamerchick · 28/10/2025 12:49

Do it. We need more women in the trades. I've always like the idea of being a Plumber Grin

It's the sort of stuff I wish would be brought into the school system. Find out what those bairns who aren't academic and can't do exams could take to instead.

Roselily123 · 28/10/2025 12:49

DriveVerySlowlyPastNumber23IWantThemToSeeMyHat · 28/10/2025 12:43

Are you physically fit? Plastering is a very demanding job on the body and the issue with being self employed is should you get a bad back etc, you'd struggle financially?

It's good you're trying to better yourself 😊

Agree
knew one very well
it’s exhausting work.
and he was excellent at it.
but even he gave it up years ago.
works a minimum wage job now.

Original poster
confusedlady10 · 28/10/2025 12:50

DriveVerySlowlyPastNumber23IWantThemToSeeMyHat · 28/10/2025 12:43

Are you physically fit? Plastering is a very demanding job on the body and the issue with being self employed is should you get a bad back etc, you'd struggle financially?

It's good you're trying to better yourself 😊

Tbf not really. I am 5 ft 4 and 118lbs, but I don't eat very healthy and can't walk up a hill without being out of breath. I am starting to go to the gym though as I am trying to gain strength (and weight). That's a main concern. Thank you.

OP posts:
Daphnedot · 28/10/2025 12:51

@Bobbingtons
Was that a play on words ? Regret "taking the plunge" and not being a plumber? Love it 😀

DriveVerySlowlyPastNumber23IWantThemToSeeMyHat · 28/10/2025 12:52

confusedlady10 · 28/10/2025 12:50

Tbf not really. I am 5 ft 4 and 118lbs, but I don't eat very healthy and can't walk up a hill without being out of breath. I am starting to go to the gym though as I am trying to gain strength (and weight). That's a main concern. Thank you.

Show quote history

The gym is a start! 😊 With plastering, there's boards to carry, bags to lift and it's a very physical job.

Is there a reason why plastering has taken your fancy? 😊

Tontostitis · 28/10/2025 12:53

Ooh I can answer this!! Plasterers really need to be strong and tall is helpful it's really hard work lots of ladders often working on stilts to do ceilings. I would personally say it's a really hard job to pick, plumbing is quite a good job although you do need to be strong sometimes you've got to pick up boilers and water tanks. Painting and decorating always brilliant ones for women to do as lots of people only want women in the house and you'll get a lot of work same with electrics although that can be really unsocial hours to get really good money. Of all the building jobs I've tried out and done and seen my husband do, he learnt to plastering off YouTube but now plasters better than any plasterer we've ever paid. He does all our plastering rental properties and homes and it's a really hard dirty job however if it's what floats your boat I say do it. I'd pick plumbing or electrics if I was going to specialise

Tontostitis · 28/10/2025 12:54

gamerchick · 28/10/2025 12:49

Do it. We need more women in the trades. I've always like the idea of being a Plumber Grin

It's the sort of stuff I wish would be brought into the school system. Find out what those bairns who aren't academic and can't do exams could take to instead.

Edited

I wanted to do all the boys stuff at school would work metal work technical drawing but wasn't allowed and had to do typing and needlework.

MO0N · 28/10/2025 12:54

As I understand it you need a lot of upper body strength to be a plasterer.
You may be strong for a woman but you'll be competing against men who have a lot more upper body strength.

Original poster
confusedlady10 · 28/10/2025 12:55

gamerchick · 28/10/2025 12:49

Do it. We need more women in the trades. I've always like the idea of being a Plumber Grin

It's the sort of stuff I wish would be brought into the school system. Find out what those bairns who aren't academic and can't do exams could take to instead.

Edited

Yes! I wish I had done something like this in an apprenticeship in school. I studied business in community college and uni (as per my mother's forceful wishes) and hated it due to having ADHD and hating the exams. I dropped out of uni and she had sadly passed away by then. Now I am in an entry level dead end job at 29. I just wish there was an easy way to better myself, this feels like something I could explore.

OP posts:
InterestedDad37 · 28/10/2025 12:55

Daphnedot · 28/10/2025 12:51

@Bobbingtons
Was that a play on words ? Regret "taking the plunge" and not being a plumber? Love it 😀

I was going to say "regret not taking the plunger" 😂

JudgeBread · 28/10/2025 12:56

All the plasterers I know are 6'+ and built like brick shit houses so you'd be at a pretty big physical disadvantage.

You'd also be older than average starting out- not saying that'll stop you if you're determined but most people who go into trades go straight into apprenticeship out of school. So that'd be another hurdle to overcome.

Why plastering? Sparkies and plumbers make good money and while physical fitness helps it's not as essential as for plastering.

SquareBreathing · 28/10/2025 12:57

Do you know what I have always wanted to be a plasterer. There’s something about the alchemy of it. Turning a tatty room into a smart one. The thing that would prevent me from doing it now would be the lifting of the heavy bags of plaster. But there must be ways of getting round that.

I’m envious. It’s a useful, practical job.

and show me a builder who can’t get off early (for school pick ups etc) when he feels like it.

Original poster
confusedlady10 · 28/10/2025 12:58

Notthisagainyouidiot · 28/10/2025 12:44

Could you try and find an evening course to try out plastering? I'd be wary of quitting a job to take up something I've not even tried. Are you relatively strong for lifting and good on ladders?

Tbf I am not. I will do that try out an evening DIY course to get a feel. Thank you, I didn't think of that.

OP posts:
BadgernTheGarden · 28/10/2025 12:58

DriveVerySlowlyPastNumber23IWantThemToSeeMyHat · 28/10/2025 12:43

Are you physically fit? Plastering is a very demanding job on the body and the issue with being self employed is should you get a bad back etc, you'd struggle financially?

It's good you're trying to better yourself 😊

Being able to work on stilts is also an asset our plasterer was fantastic on stilts so never needed ladders and walking boards. Also remember apart from being physically demanding and a real skill, it can be really cold in winter and hot in summer, not for the faint hearted.

Original poster
confusedlady10 · 28/10/2025 12:59

JudgeBread · 28/10/2025 12:56

All the plasterers I know are 6'+ and built like brick shit houses so you'd be at a pretty big physical disadvantage.

You'd also be older than average starting out- not saying that'll stop you if you're determined but most people who go into trades go straight into apprenticeship out of school. So that'd be another hurdle to overcome.

Why plastering? Sparkies and plumbers make good money and while physical fitness helps it's not as essential as for plastering.

The plumbing and electrician course fees in comparison are too high and I am not very technical and terrible with maths. That's why I thought plastering might be a bit easier on me.

OP posts: