mature apprenticeships

[jazzactivist]

Hi all! I am starting to think about what I might like to do to earn my living at the end of my year off in 6 months time. Ideally, I don't want to return to my previous career as I had been doing it for all of my adult life so far, but while I am doing well and really enjoying the crafts that I am learning I won't feel confident enough in my abilities to try to earn a living from them yet. The best plan for me, and probably others like me, would be a type of paid apprenticeship in traditional crafts for 'mature' adults over 45. Do you know of any such scheme? All apprenticeships seem to be for young people under 25 and, while I am very sympathetic that traditional crafts need young people to learn them and keep them going, I think that older people are quick learners and can offer commitment and an understanding of the wider issues. What do you think about the idea of mature apprenticeships? Would you consider doing one?

[franbee]

The only scheme I have any experience of is Employment Training. You would need to enquire at the jobcentre. Unless it has changed, you got just a pittance above unemployment benefit, and I personally thought it was just an excuse to get someone to do a job and be paid by the state.

[Crocus]

It sounds like a very good idea to me Jazz! There are so many people of this age who can make hue contributions to the community perhaps just needing that extra bit of encouragement and apprenticeship. Judging by the lovely filt and silk fabric you sent me for the wall hanging, I think you will do well in earning a living. Can't you perhaps join one of these apprenticeship courses, even it being young people, something may stem from that? Do you perhaps know of other women who would like to do something like this - I'm sure there's more women out there who would love attending such an apprenticeship.

[souter girl]

What a wonderful idea. I have heard of hard-nosed city types retraining as shepherds or dry-stone dykers, but there must be lots of people e.g. early retired or just retired but with a bit of shelf-life who would like to do what you suggest, but perhaps couldn't when younger because of the need to support children, pay a mortgage etc. All power to your elbow!! (What do you fancy doing? Perhaps Country Crafts have an alliance, or some such organisation?)

[jazzactivist]

There are plenty of benefit related schemes for people who are out of work and are finding it hard to become employed again through lack of general education, training or experience, but nothing for older people who are well-qualified and experienced in one type of career but want to shift to learn and make a living from doing a traditional craft.

I have learnt a lot so far, but would like to spend 2 years or so apprenticed to a professional silversmith or a feltmaker who has their own sheep, so that I can really learn about all aspects of my craft in-depth and hone my skills. Most mature apprentices will be relatively financially secure, so the pay wouldn't have to be huge, but enough for a mature person with household responsibilities to survive on. I think that I will raise this at my feltmaking class tomorrow as a couple of the people there are involved in craft guilds and societies. I might also write to a relevant Minister to suggest that this might be a way forward in the recession, and then see if I can dig up a mature apprenticeship for myself in the meanwhile.

[Crocus]

I think it's quite a good start to mention it in your class tomorrow. Who knows some may just wait for somone to mention this Jazz! Crossing fingers and let us know will you? xx

[dinger]

As I mentioned before my daughter has returned to her studying to become a midwife . she has now delivered 20 babies out of the 30 she has to get to but has untill June to achieve this. She is sailing through all her exams with flying colours and is now nearing achieving her goal to become a fully fledged midwife. She has done this at the age of 45yrs old .

[Crocus]

Wow Dinger, congratulations! That is so wonderful. xxx

[jazzactivist]

That's great dinger, if your daughter has always wanted to be a midwife then good luck to her. The mums, babies and dads involved can only benefit from her commitment.