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!) 😣

I had a job going nowhere and quit it to go to college and qualify as a plumber. I was a full time student and single mom and eligible for UC. Honestly, the best decision I ever made, and doors I never knew existed opened up to me.

Apply to college first and secure your position, depending on where you live in the UK there's also grants available to support you.

I didn't work while studying but got a job straight after qualifying. We were skint but getting a skill in my hands paid off and money is decent now.

🙄indeed. I am looking for work at the moment.
I am a lone parent with a child to support.
Most people are very supportive. Some are idiots.

Gardener? Painter? We recently had tradespeople (one of them was a woman) do a paint job. Those are less physical than plasterer tbh.

I do however think you’re limiting yourself when it comes to plumbing. Why wouldn’t you be able to learn it? Edit: I’m not saying it’s simple / easy. But why wouldn’t you be able to do it with the right training / education?

Go for it! If you think you can do it, this is half the battle. The money is amazing going by the last bloke I paid £300 a day for!

What about being an MOT Tester, if you would like to work with cars. There seems to be shortage of suitable testers judging from the frequent job ads in my area. Less physical and less training than a mechanic

Sorry to derail from OP. It's my understanding that UC doesn't help pay for mortgage (I know there is a SMI loan). Did you really get enough to support your home and child while re-training?
I am looking for work and have pretty much ruled out retraining as I don't think I can support my home and child.

Great idea, good money but a short lifespan due to shoulder pain, if you had the option of a mix of trades, electrician's earn very well and often land supervisory roles.and maintenance roles within hospitals etc as they get older.
I'm from a wc background where many of the younger generation took on apprenticeships, they done very well for themselves.

According to gov.uk you need to

"be a skilled mechanic with at least 4 years’ full-time employment servicing and repairing the types of vehicles you’re going to test"

She did it for free at a local college. I think she did 3 separate courses? Not sure, but she was working full time within a year.
She did all of my house while still at college, so definitely earned while she learned 😉

@pontipinemum
"Sorry I've only skimmed your post."

😆

We lived on £60 a week roughly, after rent was paid. I'm not eligible for the housing side of UC as I rent from a family member, so no idea about that side of it all, sorry.

I know that as I was a single parent, once I became a full time student I was eligible for UC without having to get a job as well if that helps? You get moved into a different cohort of jobseekers. I didn't claim UC until I became a student

I could not live off £60 a week. I run a home and have a child to support.

I'm glad it worked out for you.

The best painters and decorators I've had were women! Go for it.

Also - apparently there is a huge shortage of welders right now.

You go for it. The job you are doing now will be as dead as a dodo very soon.
peopl with craft skills will be able to name their price.
And not before time imo.

Have a look at @wecantreno and @she_plasters on instagram

I would caution more with painter and decorator- that’s one role that is harder to do industrially (most trade roles are industrial ie on building sites- the people who come into your house or build your extension are quite a small part of the workforce)

if you cant do it industrially you need to do it in people’s homes which means you need to launch a business. How will you get clients? How will you support yourself whilst you build that client base?

Are you sure that you could claim UC if you quit your job? I didn't think the paid if you lose your job voluntarily.

I'd be really interested in learning more about free courses enabling you to retrain and be earning in full time work within a year.

Wtf? No evidence men are stronger? I mean emotionally no...

I've not read the entire thread so apologies if this has already been said.
I used to be married to a plasterer so:
Pros: it's bloody hard to get a plasterer right now so you can charge good money
Not many materials/ tools required compared to other trades
You can definitely finish in time for school run especially if working locally
Cons: it's dirty. Really dirty!
It's very hard work. Not only are you lifting 25kg bags of plaster and plaster boards but also carrying buckets/tubs of wet plaster
You're also pushing hard with your arms for hours at a time and working above head height and on ceilings
You will need a van or a vehicle that holds 2.4m boards
You get less done in winter as each coat takes longer to dry than when it's warmer
Plasterers used to have lots of money (see actual loadsamoney 😂) but fewer people pay in cash now so that little 'perk' is diminishing

This is not to put you off but having lived it for many years, there's plenty to consider.

Our local college has free six week course for adults in subjects like plumbing and tiling. See if anywhere near you does the same. It will give you an idea of whether you enjoy it. I think they do it to reduce drop out rates in their proper courses but worse case scenario is you gain some useful skills for your own place. (and yes, before anyone starts, I am sure they are free to everyone)

Have you spoken to any local plasters to see what the job market is like?

Do you like physical work?

I think it's unrealistic.
It's very physically demanding.
Have you considered paying an expert to help you apply for other jobs more related to your present work but at a higher level.
Maybe you need some pointers as to how to present yourself on paper and in person to best advantage.
You seem a little disorganised.
Eg Not knowing what exams you passed.
Wouldn't you apply to the awarding body rather than the school to get copies of certs ?
How have you been applying for jobs without this information.
Do you drive?
What about commercial driving?
Lorries or trains.
Basically my advice is consult a careers advisor.
All the best.

It's a brutal job on the body, my cousin retrained as a plasterer, he does that fancy venetian plastering. He is in hospital every 6m getting his shoulder injected.

Can you work your way up to the next level in your current role? Find a mentor within your company who can guide you, internal or external training in management etc?

Everyone is being very polite here and honestly there is nothing wrong with having ambition to do something different but I think you’d be mad to give up a job to do plastering when you have no skills in this area and don’t have the physical fitness and strength.