Civil service apprenticeship aged 53. Madness?

[BatInATopHat]

Went for it on a whim and have got through the numerical test and the caseworker test and just submitted a personal statement

But is it a totally crazy idea at my age? Am I potentially taking a position away from a teenager if I get it?! And as it's a surveyors technician apprenticeship course and I've got very average numerical skills god knows why I think im actually capable of doing it anyway 😀

My interest comes from working as an estate agent at the moment and having an interest in property and valuations but theres no way I could design anything - but the job description doesn't mention that luckily!

Anyway - tell me it's a stupid idea as I'm considering withdrawing my application before I make a total tit of myself

No I think that's brilliant, assuming you can afford the wage I think you should absolutely go for it! You still have 18 years of working life yet, you'll have a lot to offer the civil service and it'll be a great bump to your retirement!

Civil service is very accepting of late stage apprentices or career changers.. I came in via a development programme in my late 40s and progressed up 3 grades in 3 years. It was a great decision for me - I got lots of support and career development opportunities and my soft/life skills built up in other environments are really valued. Don’t worry about the teenager - those opps are aimed at everyone and you were the best person for the job.

@ahdlfj thanks for the response

Oh I can afford the wage so that's something. Just terrified I'm too thick. I barely scrape the 2 GCSE's they require ...

Go for it!

@Isthisjustnormal thank you

And that's another thing. Because they do all this blind recruiting, they're going to get quite the shock to see someone in their fifties sitting there on Teams

I'm getting ahead of myself as not been offered an interview yet

My friend joined BorderForce as an apprentice at 53. He loves it.

Good luck, I'd do the same if i could!
Where did you find the.opportunity?

Apparently they are trying to put the age of retirement up to 71, so go for it.

Nope, go for it.

I'm in the civil service and they're always banging on about how apprenticeships are for everyone. L

It's nothing to do with GCSEs either. If you are willing to learn and are able to communicate (your experience as an EA must help here?!) you're going to be fine. You've got 15+ years of service to offer a new employer!

Most of the spring chickens seem to go into fast track in my limited experience.

CS is a good employer. It's worth considering even just to get your foot in the door.

My son is a civil servant and I am 55. He told me I should apply for a job with them because, 'They love old people like you.'.
There's some encouragement if more should be needed! 💪

@MinistryofMom thank you. And yes, I'd just like to get in if I can. Tricky with a handful of GCSEs and low self confidence when it comes to work! I do well working for a local estate agents because I spend all my time conducting house viewings which suits me.

@Iwiicit ha, well if that's not encouraging I dunno what is! Sounds like they'll be delighted to discover I'm an old fucker then. Brilliant!

You will be working still for approx 20 years. So yep, I would go for it.

Yes, seriously you should definitely give it a go. I presume if you hate it, you can always go back to being an estate agent.
I'm thinking of having a go myself because the working conditions seem a hell of a lot better than being a teacher.

You’ve got years of work left! Of course it’s a good idea. I took a new direction at 50. Whilst there may’ve been disappointment initially they got me, I think they’re glad now as I work independently, do a good job and aren’t likely to leave for ten years.

How do I find civil service jobs?? I’m old and need a job.

Thanks all. I'll keep my application in for now and see how it goes.

Civil service jobs website!

www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk/csr/index.cgi

DS is currently working his way through apprenticeship applications, and bloody hell they are tough!

Go for it, and if you are successful, don't think negatively, be proud of yourself. Why don't you deserve to do it but younger people do?!?

Good luck

Great idea! Sounds really interesting, just make sure you research what it involves really well and know why you want to do it for interview. DS is doing a CS apprenticeship and loves it, one of the women who started at the same time as him is in her 40's. You'll have loads of experience that an 18 year old won't have and your cv work history will surely give an idea of your age so I wouldn't have thought they'd be that shocked.

Be super confident and stop talking yourself down! You got through the numerical test so you can do this.

@Beetrootbee have a Google - all out there! 

@Hellohah good luck to your son! They are tough applications aren't they?

@Lisa593 they don't want my CV or my work history at this point so I suppose I could be 17 or 77

Well I've certainly got the life experience and the ability to maybe express myself more confidently than a very young person but I don't have the recent education experience and how I passed the numerical test I'll never know. I may have err guessed a couple