Change of Career

[Bunyip]

OK, so we have decided to move to Orange, LB has an interview for a job that sounds just like her.

Now I need to decide what to do with myself, sort of over the whole IT thing and this is the perfect opportunity to reset and start from the beginning again.

I am thinking of an electrical apprenticeship. There is a large mine out of Orange which offers apprenticeships every year.

My question is this. Is there a Tafe or other short course that may provide me with an advantage in the application process? Also woul dbe good to have a taste of it before I commit, whilst I am confident I would find it interesting (yes I realise 1st years learn how to clean and get lunches) it owuld be good to get a better idea of wha tto expect.

Bunyip

[Nay-DMAX]

Congrats I did see your other post on the move how exciting (possibly daunting).  I don't know about your questions regarding electrical stuff have you done a google search on tafe or something?  A career change can be great though I worked mostly in childcare for 14 years then 15months ago made a change and working in banking now really enjoying the change and never thought it is something I would be doing.  All the best with the move and hope that you find a job that you love.

[Bunyip]

Tafe has a heap of courses, and I can google and get a whole heap of info.

I am hoping an Electrician will tell me what would be best.

It is sort of like IT, there is a whole heap of courses and a newbie wouldn't make heads nor tales out of it unless someone in the industry asked the right questions so that the right answer can be given.

Bunyip

[sonny]

Not sure about NSW, but some TAFEs in Qld do an Electrical Pre-Voc (equal to a Cert 1, i think), that runs for 1 semester i think.  They are pretty hard to get in to (waiting list).   Also have a look at what sort of incentives an employer can get for hiring an adult apprentice as that can be a good "carrot" for some employers.  Good luck with the change in career. 

[MDS69]

In NSW through TAFE you can complete a pre-apprenticeship course which from memory basically crams all of the first year theory into one block of approx. 6 weeks full time. When you start your apprenticeship with the employer you will start on first year wages and still have 4 years of practical but will enrol in 2nd theory.

I guess the pre-apprenticeship shows the employer you are keen for a career in that trade.

[Bunyip]

Thanks MDS,

Exactely what i was after. I will ring TAFE and find out when they run it.

Bunyip

[muzza01]

Not sure about NSW, but some TAFEs in Qld do an Electrical Pre-Voc (equal to a Cert 1, i think), that runs for 1 semester i think.  They are pretty hard to get in to (waiting list).   Also have a look at what sort of incentives an employer can get for hiring an adult apprentice as that can be a good "carrot" for some employers.  Good luck with the change in career.

I enrolled my son in TAFE QLD to complete his cert 3 (i think) in elec engineering.  The course went for around 5 months in AC and DC, prac and theory.  Lots of exams that were pretty hard at times.  I think the cost was around $1000 with around $200 in books.  As Sonny said, it is pretty hard to get in. 
On the day that TAFE open for enrollments for this course, I arrived 1.5 hours before opening to get to the front of the line.  There were two people already there lined up waiting.  The Course usually is sold out in the first hour.

Anyway, by completing this course, it impressed his employer enough for him to take my son on as an apprentice Electrician.  good luck Bunyip.

[weeds]

i have sat in on the apprentice interviews at my work........due to the numbers of applicants we only consider those that have either completed a CERT 1, 2 or 3 or currenlty studying.

[yumpet]

Hey man being that I work at the mine your referring too and I'm a sparky and I live in orange I can offer a little insight, a course won't help you much except asking you look keen, the do an accelerated course (basically 2 years of Tafe not 3). Be aware if you do get a start you will be moved around every 6 months to a different section of the mine, mill, underground ridgeway, underground Cadia east. There is a tafe with electrical course in orange aswell

[berlitza]

Good luck Bunyip, I did something similar a few years ago from being a chef to I.T, being 36 at the time it took a little time to get employed after i had finished the course and the money sucked big time for a while but i really did make the correct decision  in career changes, stick with it and don't give up....

[MIC78C]

Hey man being that I work at the mine your referring too and I'm a sparky and I live in orange I can offer a little insight, a course won't help you much except asking you look keen, the do an accelerated course (basically 2 years of Tafe not 3). Be aware if you do get a start you will be moved around every 6 months to a different section of the mine, mill, underground ridgeway, underground Cadia east. There is a tafe with electrical course in orange aswell

Are you with PHE?

[Muckinhell]

I did the pre vocational in Qld in 2008 while on long service leave and annual leave from my then employment.The course helped in getting a apprenticeship and also in seeing if i was up to the math that was involved, wich becuase i was interested, wasnt an issue in the end. I have now completed my capstone and am just awaiting to be signed off as a tradesman.

the course i did went for 19 weeks with easter week off and we had to complete 180 work place hours as part of the course. the tafe week was mon to thurs with fri being work experience plus there was couple weeks in there just for work experience. I was offered an apprenticeship at the place i did my placement, and to wich we had to find ourselves as well during the course. I didnt takje that apprenticeship as i was living away from my partner at the time and we wernt that keen on living at the sunny coast on my reduced income as we had a good deal going on accomodation from the inlaws wich is why i was able to take on an apprenticeship at 34.

which ever way you go it will be worth it.good luck.

[Bunyip]

Hi Muckinhell,

Congrats on finishing.

I will ring the TAFE tomorrow and discuss it with them, I like the idea of getting an indication of what it would be like prior to commiting.

Bunyip

[yumpet]

Are you with PHE?

Nah mate JT

[envee]

Nah mate JT

How are Shane and Big Nick treating you?

[Jason B]

I will keep an eye out for you in the local papers Mate. If I see any positions that may be of interest I will email them to you.

Jas

[Bunyip]

Thanks Jas,

[yumpet]

Yeah they treating us ok envee, you work for
JT or just know the guys?

[envee]

Used to work for them over here in WA. Good guys to work for.

Sorry about the thread hi jack Bunyip. 

[JU5T1N]

Career change....what are they?
Manual laborer, forklift driver all to fund Graphic Design course only to crush finger under gas bottle on forklift....new direction was needed....stayed with that company (TNT) done a few courses along the way ended up in management after 13•5yrs including coordinated the 2000 Olympic Sydney City deliveries after that got sick of office. Brought a truck to be my office for 11yrs. This week trying my hand at a whole new direction, was a pay cut but could potentially make up for that in other ways.
Good luck Bunyip

[Bird]

http://www.bsale.com.au/businesses/for_sale/62223/cranbourne-vic-4-wheel-drive-accessories-maintenance-business-for-sale

Heres one for someone...
I believe its Everything 4wd

[Swannie]

http://www.bsale.com.au/businesses/for_sale/62223/cranbourne-vic-4-wheel-drive-accessories-maintenance-business-for-sale

Heres one for someone...
I believe its Everything 4wd

If it was just a little closer.....

[speewa158]

When you kick open the door of  " Change of Career " its a step that will create many doubts . So do it anyway , back yourself . You will wonder why it wasn't done earlier                                                 

[D4D]

Heres one for someone...
I believe its Everything 4wd

Didn't they just move to a brand new location?

[Jacko]

Didn't they just move to a brand new location?

I think they have been in the current spot on the hwy for a couple of years now, I went to the opening but can't remember exactly when it was