Is it possible to get a plumbing or electrician apprenticeship in your '20s?
Asked by misswinniepoo
My boyfriend wants to acquire a trade in plumbing and/or electricianing. Does anyone know whether it's possible to do that at age 27 and, if not, the best priced course with a reputable company?

Best Answer:
you cannot do a apprenticeship older than 25, but you can ask your local learndirct or have a look on there websites to what courses our boyfriend needs to do to become an plumber/electrician http://careersadvice.direct.gov.uk/helpwithyourcareer/jobprofiles/profiles/profile7/ http://careersadvice.direct.gov.uk/helpwithyourcareer/jobprofiles/profiles/profile274/ Hope this helps :-) and good luck with his new career :-)

Yes my Mum's had some really good work done by a bloke who didn't train as an electrician until he was in his 30s, just look at courses at your local college.
Answered by Amy H

Certainly. You can apprentice directly to an electrical shop, either union or non-union, or start by taking some courses at a junior college or trade school. It can be a bit harder to apprentice in a union shop. There's more competition. Electrical work is an interesting and productive field to work in.
Answered by Books

At the company where I work, we needed an electrical apprentice and one of the production workers asked the manager if he could apply. He was 23 years old at the time. The company were prepared to set him on. He had no school qualifications but managed to enrol at college as a craft apprentice through the training board. Many of the other students were 16 and 17 years old and did not really put much effort into their studies. (some dropped out) The 23 year old student (although not the brightest in the class) new that he had a once in a life time chance to better himself, so he approached the training in a serious and professional manner. He successfully passed his exams and is now a good electrician and very proud of his achievements. He is earning about £37k per year (with some overtime). So my advise is to go for it and never give up. Best of luck.
Answered by pete

Some states have some good programs for apprenticeships where you get paid for your training by the state. Otherwise apply as an assistant with a local company and he can be a helper. Electrical work is a lot cleaner and you don't get calls at 3am. HVAC is another good trade and it pays well. Expect about two years of study depending on which trade to become a journeyman.
Answered by ObaMoose

You can be employed as an apprentice at any age I am on a Plumbing course with City & Guilds at the moment, I don't have to pay the government is because I started it straight from school. The course costs around £2,500 per year, and it is a 4 year course. Not sure if electrical is cheaper or dearer. You can get out of paying for courses by getting public liability insurance, and signing up with a company such as Scientiam as self employed who will fund your course, but you will be working towards NVQ which means you will need evidence of work, but he can just sit by a consumer unit at home and take a picture saying he fitted it, the portfolio is easy. The Council here only seem to take on apprentices who are in their 20's, there is an apprentice plumber with the council on my course and I would say he is about 30, they tend to choose the more mature people who they know won't mess around and will knuckle down. I think he has a good chance, if he goes self employed then that is also a good route to go down, he will only get out of it what he puts in to it. I am 19 and I have my own plumbing company in partnership with a mate (also only 19) I have a van and all the tools with regular work, if he puts in the effort I guarantee the sucess!
Answered by John P