Thread: Apprenticeship Advice

I started off as an apprentice jeweller for the 1st year, hated it, got an apprenticeship as a carpenter, did that for 12yrs then started my own building company. Made lots of money, put on a manager, and decided to be a scuba dive instructor. Got sick of teaching, went back to building, got sick of building, studied my MD, am now a psychotherapist with alternative healing, rather than drugging people, have my own business and work only a few days a week to whatever schedule I want.
A trade is good, if thats what you want. But negatives are still as a mechanic, you will be stuck indoors with fumes, unless your a mobiler. Chippy you could be indoors or out, good money (I paid my guys 120 an hour), negatives are the same old repetitive jobs if you build houses. Different if you take on lots of jobs, decks,bathrooms etc, help break up the monotony. Weather is an issue. A cabinet maker is still stuck inside doing the same old stuff and not sure if MDF still contains formaldahyde? But you are in contact with poisons. (Later on in life you'll think about it). I had an asbestos scare 10years back from using old fibro, negative luckily..
Whatever we do, there is a big chance it will fall into the BORING category at one stage in your life. Hell, I taught scuba, in the warm waters of Whitsunday for so long surrounded by pretty backpackers, sharks,dolphins,whales, and turtles and it still wore thin.

Guess what im trying to say is, any higher ed you have will be great in the long run, but the grass will always be greener on the otherside...

Mate,
What are your teaching methods? I am a teacher and l 'work with my hands' every day. I started in the classroom and got a bit bored.

I am now the Head of VCAL (the pathway for students wanting to be tradesman and not go to Uni). We have a workshop. Are always doing 'projects' and getting out and working in the community. We do a lot of work for Parks Victoria. Land Care. Local Shire.

I also teach agriculture and other practically based subjects in the same vein. Teaching is all about what your make of it - get some experience, quals and get into it. To be honest - l have found there is more funding in the private sector for programs like mine. I have many mates "slogging it out" in the state system trying to get $400 for some safety gear for kids.

In terms of teaching in remote areas (NT/WA) - partic in Indigenous Communities/Missions - these schools need teachers qualified to teach English as Second Language (TESOL - Cert 4 qual @ Holmesglen) and Mathematics. Being able to teach one of these plus another methods is of great benefit to.


On a side note, we desparately need more quality men in schools teaching and working with young people. (Nothing against the ladies....i'm just saying!!!)

More than happy to chat further if you like.


Michael