Hello just to introduce myself and ask for advice.

[MrTomo]

Hi I’m Tom

36 year old ex squaddie that is married and has 1 kid. Local from Telford the midlands.

Before I start I know I’m in my thirties but was in need of a career change.. fit active and healthy. 20 years since I left school but “currently” 31 years until retirement so not even half way through my working life yet ‍

I did a 2 week course at stoke construction college for plastering.

Hoping to get into the trade and just after advice or help from you fine gentleman.

If any of you are reasonably local then potentially maybe I could do a few days or a day a week with you? Anything really to help me learn?

I have done a few jobs on my house, friends houses. And 2 actual customer jobs through word of mouth which they were happy with the end result. and I tbh I enjoy it.

Not the quickest as of yet but I’m not half bad. I know it’s a trade lads and I have a lot to learn still but willing to try I want to make it work.

Any advice welcome.
Thanks for reading
Tom

 

[essexandy]

Hi I’m Tom

36 year old ex squaddie that is married and has 1 kid. Local from Telford the midlands.

Before I start I know I’m in my thirties but was in need of a career change.. fit active and healthy. 20 years since I left school but “currently” 31 years until retirement so not even half way through my working life yet ‍

I did a 2 week course at stoke construction college for plastering.

Hoping to get into the trade and just after advice or help from you fine gentleman.

If any of you are reasonably local then potentially maybe I could do a few days or a day a week with you? Anything really to help me learn?

I have done a few jobs on my house, friends houses. And 2 actual customer jobs through word of mouth which they were happy with the end result. and I tbh I enjoy it.

Not the quickest as of yet but I’m not half bad. I know it’s a trade lads and I have a lot to learn still but willing to try I want to make it work.

Any advice welcome.
Thanks for reading
Tom

Hi Tommo. I've been in the trade for 44 years now and have done pretty well out of it.
If you really want my honest opinion, find something else to do. Something where you're employed, with sick pay, paid holidays and a pension at the end of it.
You say you're "not half bad", trust me you're not. This is definitely not a trade you can get to 'not half bad' after a short course and dabbling on a few jobs. That's no reflection of you, that's anyone IMHO.
There are training courses such as the one you did churning out people like yourself every week of every year. The lower end of the market is flooded with people who can 'do a bit'.
All that said, good luck with whatever you decide to do.

 

[johnzo]

Hi Tom not out to have a go but 2 weeks done a few jobs not half bad that statement in itself is an insult to the lads on here ,courses like that just turns out rubbish ,plastering is a trade a time served trade ,u need to start at the bottom basically that means mixing and watching and learning how it’s done at your age that won’t be easy your bottom of the ladder and a two week course won’t get u to the first step ,if your serious u need to get in with a crew and get used to shite money

 

[paulf]

Hi I’m Tom

36 year old ex squaddie that is married and has 1 kid. Local from Telford the midlands.

Before I start I know I’m in my thirties but was in need of a career change.. fit active and healthy. 20 years since I left school but “currently” 31 years until retirement so not even half way through my working life yet ‍

I did a 2 week course at stoke construction college for plastering.

Hoping to get into the trade and just after advice or help from you fine gentleman.

If any of you are reasonably local then potentially maybe I could do a few days or a day a week with you? Anything really to help me learn?

I have done a few jobs on my house, friends houses. And 2 actual customer jobs through word of mouth which they were happy with the end result. and I tbh I enjoy it.

Not the quickest as of yet but I’m not half bad. I know it’s a trade lads and I have a lot to learn still but willing to try I want to make it work.

Any advice welcome.
Thanks for reading
Tom

What is it about plastering that has caught your imagination, what's the draw, does it seem easy? Do you feel that you can achieve something quicker with plastering rather than say training as an electrician etc.
The reason I ask is that every time this is asked i get the impression that plastering is some kind of short circuit because it isn't technically orientated.
At the end of the day it's earning a living nothing else, plastering just doesn't offer the same depth of financial security other jobs offer.
As a useful life skill yeah get as proficient as you can but do yourself a favour go after something that gives the most reward for the least risk.
The biggest risk in life is moving sideways, it's time wasted.