When is it too late to change careers?

[Stoatally]

I'm 40. I've worked in a number of sectors in my life ending up in training for the last 15 years.

 

Over the last 12 I worked occasionally with my ex father in law in agricultural contracting (fencing and general farm work), I'm a qualified mechanic and have worked in welding / fabricating alongside other stuff. I'm pretty good with my hands and have a very sensible head.

 

I would really like to retrain, my financee and i have discussed it and we can afford for me to retrain. I really think I'd like to be back outdoors, in forestry / arboriculture. Is there any chance? Am I too old? Will there be anyone willing to give me a chance.

 

I'm looking at getting my basic tickets as a first stop - to show willing and to get a chance to do some basic stuff wherever and whenever.

 

Based in Bristol area

[JimM]

Retrained at 44. Go for it.

[Treemoose]

Your too old when your dead. Anything before that as the old saying goes - anything is possible

[felixthelogchopper]

Your too old when your dead. Anything before that as the old saying goes - anything is possible

 

What he said.

[Kveldssanger]

Realistically speaking there is going to be a soft ceiling in terms of age that, when passed, means a career change isn't necessarily sustainable. I doubt you have reached that, however. Do you see yourself being able to work on the saws for the next 10+ years - how is your level of fitness? Have you thought about the more academic side of the industry?

[Mick Dempsey]

Of course you can do it!

But in your shoes I wouldn't bother spending too much time/money learning to climb.

Too many youngsters being pumped out by colleges.

Plenty of other avenues in the fields you are looking at to pursue.

[grumpydavesmith]

Try joining a tree/ forestry firm as a mechanic, then go from there. Our mechanic gets involved in all sorts

[IVECOKID]

Get on with it has you will end up regretting the chance you had .

Last chance Saloon has next time you think about a career change you will be 50 .

 

 

Ste

[Stoatally]

I like to think I'm fit enough to work on the saws for the next 10+ years. I may well be office based at the moment but I do keep fit outside work - I 'race' long distance triathlons.

 

For anyone that has changed - what approach did you take?

 

What steps should I take next?

 

Does anyone want some help on evenings and weekends around Bristol?

[Old Mill Tree Care]

I had a guy called Roly who started with me a few years ago aged 51. He had plenty of saw experience but not in Arb.

What he did have was a good work ethic, loads of common sense and really good humour.

He always looked like he was working slow but was as productive as any mental youngster. All his life experience meant he did things right, first time with minimal effort.

 

You're never too old.