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Mature study and retraining

Talk to other Mumsnetters who are considering a career change or are mature students.

Original poster

Anyone in their 30s/40s doing an apprenticeship?

32 replies

TildaRae · 01/12/2021 14:44

Hi all,

I’m 40 and a couple of months into a HR apprenticeship. Sometimes I wonder if I’ve bitten off more than I can chew! Anyone else in a similar boat, how are you finding it?

OP posts:
WeAllLikeVindaloo · 01/12/2021 15:04

Totally not helpful but I’m really interested in getting into an adult apprenticeship.. how do I go about finding one?!
Keep at it, it will be worth it in the end!

LiterallyKnowsBest · 01/12/2021 15:13

I had to look that up, OP. Hadn’t really grasped that the job took so much training.

www.prospects.ac.uk/jobs-and-work-experience/job-sectors/recruitment-and-hr/hr-apprenticeships

Are you Level 3 or Level 5?

MavisEnderby74 · 03/12/2021 20:20

I’m doing a degree apprenticeship in leadership and management. I’m just over half way through (started a week before lockdown) so it’s been a challenge balancing everything. TBH I don’t think I’m giving my best to my job, the course or family, but I’m a stubborn cow when I set my mind to it, so I’m just ploughing on with it.

MavisEnderby74 · 03/12/2021 20:22

I’ll be nearly 49 when I finish, and my kids are all teenagers now so fairly self-sufficient. I wouldn’t have dreamed of taking this on when they were younger.

Onesnowynight · 01/01/2022 14:03

I’m doing level 5 in Learning and Development

borntobequiet · 01/01/2022 14:08

I’ve taught a number of people in your position and it can be a tough balancing act. Good organisation is key, also having supportive people around you. If you find others - employer, training provider - poor at communication, it’s worthwhile being very proactive and asking questions, for example about exam schedules, deadlines and so on.

Onesnowynight · 06/01/2022 23:16

Sorry I realised I didn’t t actually answer your question. How am I finding it?

Not too bad at the moment but i only started in September. Im due to hand in my completed first assignment this weekend. It’s definitely a ‘you must be organised’ course. I also have additional exercises to complete along side my assignment which I find a PITA to be honest. I just want to get this first assignment marked to see how im performing in the grand scheme of things.

YouCantTourniquetTheTaint · 06/01/2022 23:23

I'm 36,studying for my degree and want to become a teacher, I will be 39/40 when I go into teacher training, so I'm not in the exact boat, but can empathise with feeling a little out of my depth.

Original poster
TildaRae · 08/01/2022 22:00

Thank you all for the replies. I’m doing level 5. Think I’ve got myself into a routine and have a bit more of an idea of what’s expected etc.. and time management. I’ve also got a bit more confidence in seeking help from my tutor if needed. Hope everyone is getting on ok with their studies.

OP posts:
ZoeTheThornyDevil · 23/01/2022 09:10

I'm coming up on 40 and about to start my second apprenticeship. The first was hard work (and all virtual), but I adored it.

thirdistheonewiththehairychest · 13/02/2022 16:56

I'm currently contemplating a Level 7 apprenticeship in Accountancy. I have a young(ish) family with 3 dc ages 4-11. I'm hoping it will be do-able around family life!

Lennybenny · 14/02/2022 00:13

Where do you find adult apprenticeships? I'd love to do a HR one!

EBearhug · 14/02/2022 00:17

I completed a level 5 apprenticeship in management last year (when I was 48.) It was hard going at times, but possible. Quite a few people had to exterior various reasons.

Lennybenny · 14/02/2022 00:50

What's the apprenticeship salary like? I'm happy to have a pay drop to train in a field I'd like to go into but need a rough idea on how much I'd lose on my current job.

EBearhug · 14/02/2022 11:36

I think it depends where fo it. I did mine through work, and my salary didn't change at all.

EBearhug · 14/02/2022 11:36

For "fo" read "you do".

thirdistheonewiththehairychest · 14/02/2022 20:06

@Lennybenny Have a look here:
[https://www.prospects.ac.uk/jobs-and-work-experience/job-sectors/recruitment-and-hr/hr-apprenticeships]]

greenjojocat · 14/02/2022 20:13

www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship

All apprenticeships are adult apprenticeships, there are no upper age restrictions now. I'm doing one and I also teach one!

christinarossetti19 · 16/02/2022 21:28

Is there any way of getting a apprenticeship with a job attached iykwim?

I know employers fund them through the apprenticeship levy, but I wondered if anyone knows if it's possible to get a 'job with apprenticeship' in your 50s?

christinarossetti19 · 16/02/2022 21:29

@greenjojocat

https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship

All apprenticeships are adult apprenticeships, there are no upper age restrictions now. I'm doing one and I also teach one!

Do you mind me asking, did you get an apprenticeship through your current job, or apply for a 'job with apprenticeship' if such a thing exists?
GreyerbytheDay · 16/02/2022 21:50

I’m currently doing the l7 accountancy apprenticeship. I’m in my early forties, single parent with a late primary aged child. About 15 months in - another two years to go.

I’m doing it alongside my existing job because I decided it was time I got the qualification. I juggle. A lot. When DD is at one of her clubs or classes, I’m usually studying. I do a lot in the evening. When she does her homework at the weekend, I do mine. It’s hard but doable.

Eight exams down, eight to go!

thirdistheonewiththehairychest · 20/02/2022 18:45

@GreyerbytheDay half way there! That's good!

Can I ask whether your work let you have study time during your working week? I believe they are supposed to let you have 20% of your contracted work time dedicated to study, and I wondered how realistic it is to fit the study into this amount of time.

How many hours of study per week would you say you do?

GreyerbytheDay · 20/02/2022 21:00

Technically I get 20% study time. In practice I’m in a very senior role in the organisation so it doesn’t always come to 20% during normal working hours. I organise my diary so I get more time in the run up to exams but I get maybe half a day study time on average during my contracted working hours.

I took it on knowing that was likely to be the case, though, and you can count things other than studying for exams as part of the 20% so I make it up with courses and projects I’d be doing anyway for the apprenticeship off the job requirements. For me it was more about this being a cost effective way to get the accountancy qualification which my organisation couldn’t have afforded to fund otherwise, so I was prepared to take on more studying outside work to facilitate that.

In terms of time spent, I think I probably spend about 80 hrs per module including revision and exam prep. That’s the amount I need to spend to feel confident going into an exam - other people might do more or less. I’m doing roughly one module every couple of months so maybe 9-10hrs per week? If I got the full 20% most of that would fit into a working day although I’d still need to work out of hours too.

NoWayNoHow · 20/02/2022 21:28

I've just finished my L5 in HR management via and apprenticeship provider. It was long and difficult and I tricky to figure out what I could and couldn't log as the 20% off the job, but you'll be able to do it. It just requires being more disciplined than I've ever been in my life!!