Career change - apprenticeship in fraud good idea?

[Zazango]

Hi, I’m an acting up library manager for a local council and have been offered an apprenticeship as a trainee counter fraud intelligence officer in the same org. It sounds like really interesting work, but it would mean a pay cut for 2 years while I complete the apprenticeship (35k to 24k). I honestly didn’t expect to be offered this role and apparently was first choice from over 100 applicants, which is flattering..

I don’t see myself in libraries long term - I took my old assistant manager role up as a stop gap following a masters degree, then worked my way up to acting up manager in less than a year. It has been quite gruelling - lots of project management, manning the floor while trying to learn new upper management duties (I was meant to have an assistant manager but they never hired one), difficult staff, easily 10-11 hour work days most weeks… plus once the acting up role finishes early next year I’ll return to my old branch, where we have no security and lots of problematic customers with all sorts of issues ranging from violence to watching porn in the library. I would sometimes shake with rage/fear after dealing with such issues. Staff there are also waiting out for retirement and don’t like their jobs. It was a depressing environment and I was frantically looking for a way out. I found out about the apprenticeship when I rang the organisation’s apprenticeship team desperate to see what else I could do.

Anyway… yes, I’ve been offered this role and it sounds really great. Lots of opportunities for advancement following becoming perm, interesting (and physically safe!) work, and studying for a qualification alongside it. I really want a job I feel proud of, and salary aside, I think this could be one.

The head of the team called me and more or less asked me how I felt about ‘starting again’ as I’d be going from a manager role to a junior one. He also described the day to day, and said he was looking for people like me - motivated and keen to learn so they can grow.

In 6 months I’ll move in with my partner so my expenses will reduce significantly. I’m wondering if I could somehow make money on the side to help bridge the gap.

I’m in a quandary - I’m worried that if I do take it, I’ll suffer with such a reduced income for 6 months. However, I’m also worried that if I don’t take it, I’ll have a particularly horrible day in the library one day (staff issues, or customers) and think “What have I done?”

i suppose I’m just looking for opinions on this. For what it’s worth I’m 39.. not that age really plays a part.

@Zazango Im assuming you applied for the apprenticeship knowing it was a pay drop?

Im slightly? about 39 year old career changers getting apprenticeships and not school leavers. However that’s not your problem but 18 year olds have been conned.

What is the fraud? What is the training? What studying? What is the career structure? Where does the job lead? I know someone who does this role for a bank (ex police) but a local authority? Not aware of those roles but assume it’s finance related.

You need to talk it over with your partner. If the career structure is better, why not go for it?

It’s a big drop financially. Are you sure you can afford it? ( however- to be fair it’s not a huge amount.)

what is career progression like? How soon can you expect to start increasing your earnings? And how soon to get to where you are now financially?

if You’d be earning close to what you do now in a couple
of years I’d go for it. The fact you are one of the best candidates is good - shows you are the kind of person who will get promotion.

Also, life is too short to be stuck in a job you hate. At 39, this is the time to jump. Any later and it will start to get difficult ( not because you are older, but because you’ll get paid more, you’ll get used to the salary)

I started thinking this was a tricky one, but the more I write, the more I think you should go for it!

Do it. You def don’t love the library work, and this could be great.

I work in fraud investigation and I love it. It can be very interesting and plenty of scope to move about, get additional skills and sadly during times of financial uncertainty, cases of fraud increase, so generally speaking, it is often considered recession proof.

What qualification will you be getting? Happy to discuss by PM if you want any specific advice.

Apprenticeships are for all ages, not just school leavers, and everyone has the right to find the paths they need to change careers, so can’t really comment on the 18 year olds.

the fraud is for a local council, so housing, insurance, internal whistleblowing, local business, and Blue Badge, mostly.

Thank you, that’s great. I’ll reply to you privately :)

@Zazango Yes I’m aware of that but overwhelmingly degree apprenticeships go to adults already employed by the employer. Great for them but almost impossible to get if you are 18. Great that you get to change career of course but the general view is that younger people are losing out. Statistically, they are. You should do what suits you though.

Libraries are always at risk of closure so it’s a good idea to prepare for something else, but that is a huge pay drop!

It sounds like a great opportunity. It's worth checking how much time the apprenticeship will take up as I found the time expectations very unrealistic. Is it one day a week all year round or do you get term dates? Would you be on an apprentice contract and what happens at the end of it in terms of work and progression? Or is it a normal contract whilst you do the apprenticeship so you don't have to start job hunting as soon as you're into the final part.

Young people are losing out right, left and centre at the moment.
Even entry level jobs for graduates are looking for experience in that industry. New grads are finding it very difficult to get jobs at the moment so I can't imagine what it's like for school leavers!

I’d go for it. Life’s too short wondering what if. I presume you’ve run the figure through to find out what your net is? When I dropped to part time I was surprised how much my salary didn’t drop because of student loan reduction and the way tax works.

I’m also a fraud investigator but work for a different area.
I love it. I’m on the apprenticeship programme too.

That’s really cool to hear!

Again Dm me if you would like to.
I am older than you as are many people doing our apprenticeship.
I am at a funeral today though so may not reply today.

Any chance on negotiation on the pay ? Even £1-2k would narrow the gap and you have a perfect way to position your request.

I'd say go for it though. Sadly I can't see a long term future in libraries and you are a great age to move careers- just as sadly fraud investigation is an ever expanding area .

Thank you! I accepted verbally this week. Alas, no scope for negotiation, which is a crying shame.

I work as an NHS fraud investigator and I really enjoy it. Feel free to to DM me if you want to.

I'm naturally inquisitive (nosey) so it suits me

You know and I know how important libraries are to the whole of society. But it has always been an uphill push to have that recognised.

Libraries don’t earn money. So many bean counters (and elected councillors) see libraries spend money with little to show for it. Libraries are seen as soft and passive when in reality the front line of society today is walking through the door every day.

I would take the apprenticeship. With your degree and skills, you could end up anywhere and earning very good money. “Always back Self Interest. At least you know it’s trying to win” (Paul Keating). Libraries will always take you back.

As Thomas Sowell will say, the real minimum wage is 0. When govt increases minimum wage employers simply employ less and seek more experience.