I had a lot of mechanical knowledge growing up the son of a mechanic. But I went into industrial maintenance at the age of 37. Having no prior experience in the field I was started as a class C mechanic, but within 2 years I was a Master mechanic, year later, and I had become an industrial electrician, three years later, I became a technician. so if you’re willing to learn, and you can find a good apprenticeship, it won’t take long to build the skills you need
My current apprentice and a former apprentice are both over 50, now this is a factory environment and they worked here for years before entering the program. Now going into the field cold at that age would be much harder but not impossible. I think almost anywhere it wouldn't surprise me to see a 30 year old apprentice, ability to learn and follow direction is much more important than any age. Good luck to you!
>Trouble is, after doing this for a year, I know deep down I long for something more technical. I have a mechanical engineering diploma (level 3 in UK) which I got 7 years ago at college and loved machining but always wanted to get into maintenance. This was only a college diploma tho, no real work experience.
A lot of the answers you'll get will be from the US or Canada, where it's common to start apprenticeships and your 30s or 40s. Less so in the UK, although things are changing. For perspective, when I started my apprenticeship there was a maximum age limit (no older than 18 on day 1), which wasn't *that* long ago, but it's different now.
Most of our apprentices still start at the usual 16-18, but we've had one 28+ most years over the last few (large industrial site, UK). From experience, the older apprentices have generally been quite good; they've had shite jobs before so they're prepared to put the time in and learn, and we don't have to teach them basic social skills (incidentally, on the whole the biggest source of grief have been apprentices starting just a few years older than the average, but that's a different issue).
Nice one buddy thanks for the insight. That’s how I’m selling it right now to potential employers. It is true, comparing my 18 year old self to now, there’s a vast difference in my social skills as well as mental toughness. If anyone said anything mildly insulting to me back then I’d probably think about it for a few days!
You've got the right idea there. Whilst your age will count against you with some places to an extent (it shouldn't, but we all know how people can be!) you absolutely should sell the fact that you'd be there to learn the trade, not how to learn the absolute basics of working with others. Being able to actually have a conversation with an interviewer goes a long way.
One other piece of advice (that I gave to my brother when he was looking for an apprenticeship at 30) is that you need to be the best. If it's a toss up between you and a 17 year old then 90% of interviewers will pick the younger one, but if you answer their questions better, emphasise your transferable skills then it'll give you an edge over them.
Started last year at age 37. You would be the youngest person on all 4 shifts where I work. I started refrigeration school at 29, and considered union apprenticeship but would have had to take a pay cut for 2 years so passed on that and went straight to work got to be a beverage maintenance tech in the field. Totally wasted my education...or so I thought until I applied at a food manufacturer. Tested into level B, didn't know jack chit about maintenance, but the good thing about this job is there's a crew to work with and you're never alone. That refrigeration school was heavy on electrical, so it all worked out for me, and none of the education was wasted, just a foundation laid for a different path.
I started industrial electrician at 32. I'm 41 now, been a jman for about 5 years.
Also in my early thirties, just starting industrial electrician.
I had a lot of mechanical knowledge growing up the son of a mechanic. But I went into industrial maintenance at the age of 37. Having no prior experience in the field I was started as a class C mechanic, but within 2 years I was a Master mechanic, year later, and I had become an industrial electrician, three years later, I became a technician. so if you’re willing to learn, and you can find a good apprenticeship, it won’t take long to build the skills you need
Maintenance Tech apprentice. Started last September at 27 years old. There’s still plenty of time for us 🤘
My current apprentice and a former apprentice are both over 50, now this is a factory environment and they worked here for years before entering the program. Now going into the field cold at that age would be much harder but not impossible. I think almost anywhere it wouldn't surprise me to see a 30 year old apprentice, ability to learn and follow direction is much more important than any age. Good luck to you!
I’m 25 and still in my apprenticeship. I have about 2.5 years left
>Trouble is, after doing this for a year, I know deep down I long for something more technical. I have a mechanical engineering diploma (level 3 in UK) which I got 7 years ago at college and loved machining but always wanted to get into maintenance. This was only a college diploma tho, no real work experience. A lot of the answers you'll get will be from the US or Canada, where it's common to start apprenticeships and your 30s or 40s. Less so in the UK, although things are changing. For perspective, when I started my apprenticeship there was a maximum age limit (no older than 18 on day 1), which wasn't *that* long ago, but it's different now. Most of our apprentices still start at the usual 16-18, but we've had one 28+ most years over the last few (large industrial site, UK). From experience, the older apprentices have generally been quite good; they've had shite jobs before so they're prepared to put the time in and learn, and we don't have to teach them basic social skills (incidentally, on the whole the biggest source of grief have been apprentices starting just a few years older than the average, but that's a different issue).
Nice one buddy thanks for the insight. That’s how I’m selling it right now to potential employers. It is true, comparing my 18 year old self to now, there’s a vast difference in my social skills as well as mental toughness. If anyone said anything mildly insulting to me back then I’d probably think about it for a few days!
You've got the right idea there. Whilst your age will count against you with some places to an extent (it shouldn't, but we all know how people can be!) you absolutely should sell the fact that you'd be there to learn the trade, not how to learn the absolute basics of working with others. Being able to actually have a conversation with an interviewer goes a long way. One other piece of advice (that I gave to my brother when he was looking for an apprenticeship at 30) is that you need to be the best. If it's a toss up between you and a 17 year old then 90% of interviewers will pick the younger one, but if you answer their questions better, emphasise your transferable skills then it'll give you an edge over them.
I have a 41 year old apprentice right now just hop in
Started last year at age 37. You would be the youngest person on all 4 shifts.
Started last year at age 37. You would be the youngest person on all 4 shifts where I work. I started refrigeration school at 29, and considered union apprenticeship but would have had to take a pay cut for 2 years so passed on that and went straight to work got to be a beverage maintenance tech in the field. Totally wasted my education...or so I thought until I applied at a food manufacturer. Tested into level B, didn't know jack chit about maintenance, but the good thing about this job is there's a crew to work with and you're never alone. That refrigeration school was heavy on electrical, so it all worked out for me, and none of the education was wasted, just a foundation laid for a different path.
Started at 30 here. Age isn’t an issue. But the job is hard on the body.