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

[confusedlady10]

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!) 😣

Agreed. It's not as easy as just applying. Either you have what they are looking for or you don't, and it's quite competitive now. Still doesn't stop me applying for any roles that come up, but I doubt I'd get a job in that field.

I know it's not what you asked, but my friend packed in teaching just before covid and did a painting and decorating course.
She just wanted to earn enough to 'get by', but being a female p&d has proved to be very desirable and she is fully booked now until March 2027 !
Don't suppose you fancy that? I think she fills little holes with polyfilla if you need a plastering fix😅

Not really actually! Will look into that thank you!

It's not 'skilled' in the same way, is it? That's why it's poorly paid, undervalued and understaffed.

They are all wanting levels of experience, vetting and background checks I don't have. I could look at an apprenticeship, but the pay is poor and after possibly getting a secure job, the pay still doesn't seem to look better for running around after kids all day. I probably earn the same as some of these roles wfh in what I do currently. The pay is what puts me off unless I could find one £30k+ p/yr.

No, it's not. Particularly in nurseries and schools. Childminding is better. Nannying can be very good.

What hope is there when it's not even considered a skilled role! It's because it's a predominantly female workforce as you well know from your ever so insightful 'laydees' comment.

Yes! Do you know if the painting decorating course was long or expensive at all? Thank you.

There is no evidence that men are any stronger than women, you are perpetuating a false narrative that is frankly irritating in this day and age.

As for the new job OP, go for it! I’m a bit old now but in my 20’s I went through a phase of seriously considering joining the SAS. It would have been waaaay more interesting than my boring desk job that’s for sure! Good luck!

I considered that job as a postie, but the odd non school drop off/pick up friendly hours and pay is what put me off. If the job was £30k+ p/yr before tax I'd look into it again. For me it's more about opportunities than how hard it is. I'd have to study and train very hard in a labouring job and I would give it my all just to earn a bit more. Thank you.

Vetting and background checks is literally just a DBS check, which is easy and simple as long as you don't have a criminal record.

I definitely wouldn't do an apprenticeship. If you wanted to go this route I'd do a childcare qualification alongside your current job and then start your own childminding business. Or look into nannying if you're in an area where there are nanny jobs.

You can build experience up as you go along with part-time roles/babysitting etc.

It'd only be worth it if you think you'd enjoy it though. It can be well paid, but not well enough to do it unless you also enjoy it/find the other benefits worthwhile.

@thisishowloween my husband is a carpenter, and he does hang drywall in addition to framing and finish work etc. Doesn't do taping or the plaster finish over it though (unless he really has to) as he says it's a job for a specialist. There are people here (in Canada where we live) that ONLY do the taping and plastering part, and they're really in demand. His favoured taper that he always recommends to clients is a woman, and she's always booked solid. Do those roles exist in the UK, or would tapers also be hanging the drywall?

What about tiling? Not messy as such, indoors and not so physically demanding as plastering. I have a female friend who is a professional tiler and she is doing alright.

I think it's a great idea.
Even if areas are being hit by the economic situation, there will always be a need for plasters.

I'm a healthcare professional so very far from a "trade", but I have self taught quite a few skills as we have always renovated houses and have tried a few things out. I think plastering would be something you could learn for sure. Ceilings might be a challenge with your height but you'll just have to learn to use the stilts!

I would suggest seeing if you could find a plasterer to go out with for a couple of days to see aspects of the job you may not have thought about. Just ask if you can volunteer as a pair of hands for a couple of days?

I would think there is a lot of evidence that men are physically stronger than women. Of course there are exceptions and plenty of overlap, but generally men are physically stronger.

DH does the taping himself and always has done - I can't imagine there'd be much demand for someone to only do that role, tbh, as most plasterers would just do it themselves, or have an apprentice/labourer to do it for them.

Same with a plumber. Lots of crawling into tight spaces - back and knees knackered.

You need a degree to be a teacher.
I don't want to piss on OP's chips, but I doubt a single parent relying in UC has the years of financial buffer she'd need to train as a social worker or nurse.

Re-training as an adult when you have responsibilities is a luxury that only those that don't need to earn money for a few years can afford.

I mean you need a degree to do all of those suggested roles! Random recommendations

There is no evidence that men are any stronger than women, you are perpetuating a false narrative that is frankly irritating in this day and age.

What? I missed that memo!

I agree with others who have suggested painting and decorating, or tiling.

Surely that would be easier for a physically smaller woman though? Also, we tend to be more flexible and have smaller hands...

OP says her accommodation is through family and isn't sustainable. It's unlikely as a single parent on a low income, considering UC, she'll have a spare room for a lodger or foreign student.

Or indeed be able to set up as a childminder....🙄

If that's what you want to do fine but you need to retrain first and then quit the job onc you can support yourself.

No piss here, as I fully agree! That's why I was hoping to train in something cheaper and less time consuming. I am crap at science and nursing would be out of the question for me. I'd have to work part time to make up the pay, or go on UC somehow to help me too, so I'm researching that with a trade. Thank you.