New career leap

[Craigb]

I’ve been a welder for over twenty years now and I’m going to get into tree work instead. I’ve secured funding for my 38/39 with that forestry funding application. I did apply for 30/31 but didn’t hear anything on this. Cue the Simon bates music, I’ve become fed up with a trade I one enjoyed and have felt like getting into tree work for some years now. The problem is at 40 you have a bunch of financial commitments, I realise jumping career will mean I’m starting at the bottom so I’ll be effectively an apprentice. Anyone done this transition care to share any tips on making this as financially painless as possible and also share any success stories.

 

craig.

[monkeybusiness]

A lad who used to work with me did this in the other direction and never looked back - I regularly wish I’d followed him!….

[Sviatoslav Tulin]

All depends only on your fitness,recommend you to go back welding, as you will never earn    same money in tree work , you should try treework at weekends ,while you welding full time , always wanted to learn weld aluminium and stainless steel sadly not enough hours in the day.

[Mightbe_lost]

No advice but I'm in the same boat. 15 years working in private education and just about to jump ship in to arb at 36. The way I'm approaching it is I've halfed my hours in my current job and am hoping to get some groundie work on my free days to aid the transition 

[Mike Hill]

I would not chance the jump into tree work as a beginner in the current economic climate at 40 years old.

 

How about rope access work? I am retraining into that after 28 years of tree work. There is call for welders and just your welding tickets will help alot. Its much much easier than tree work and far better paid. I had never in the tree game been on site for days " just in case we need you" in RA that happens quite a lot. I was on a job for 14 hours,made £1200 and did nothing but watch.

[Excels1or]

I changed career at 38 into full time tree work (worked on and off/seasonal for 12 years or so). Wouldn't look back, you can make good money working for yourself, wish I'd done it 20 years ago. 

[Bombadil]

It’s important to be happy in your work. Money isn’t everything.
Is this a complete jump in the dark, though? Maybe if you’ve got a secure income from welding covering your financial commitments, a transition to tree work would be best. No use burning bridges if it’s going to give you sleepless nights worrying about your bills.

Hope it goes well for you. 👍

[Mick Dempsey]

I remember when being a climber used to be one of the options when you were too stupid or wild to learn a proper trade like building, car mechanics or engineering.  
 Now it’s becoming a lifestyle choice. 

Nothing wrong with that of course, good luck to the OP whatever his decision. 

 

[trigger_andy]

22 hours ago, Craigb said:

I’ve been a welder for over twenty years now and I’m going to get into tree work instead. I’ve secured funding for my 38/39 with that forestry funding application. I did apply for 30/31 but didn’t hear anything on this. Cue the Simon bates music, I’ve become fed up with a trade I one enjoyed and have felt like getting into tree work for some years now. The problem is at 40 you have a bunch of financial commitments, I realise jumping career will mean I’m starting at the bottom so I’ll be effectively an apprentice. Anyone done this transition care to share any tips on making this as financially painless as possible and also share any success stories.

 

craig.

You want to give up a skilled career to work minimum wage?  

[Craigb]

58 minutes ago, trigger_andy said:

You want to give up a skilled career to work minimum wage?  

This is a fact I’m just discovering. It’s a skilled trade and it seems unless you are self employed you don’t get the financial recognition. Also when you have a mortgage etc it’s a very real factor to consider.