Fast Track courses what's the truth? Ex Military, needs advice.

[Stephen Legge]

Hi everyone

I am leaving the forces after 23 years shortly and want to retrain as a gas engineer, growing up in a trades household I was pretty much dragged out with my old man regularly with the hope of earning a quid. However that was 20+ years ago.I joined the Navy not as an engineer but have enough nouse about me to grasp things quick.

Serious question though. I can't afford to go to college for 3 years doing an apprenticeship for obvious reasons being 37, kids and mortgage and every thread I read is old and bold tradies slamming the short courses.

I get it I really do, but what options do I have? have you done the fast track course? did you find a job? have you employed someone like me?Do I bite the bullet and take my degree, iosh quals and project manager quals and do a job for £40k that I'll Damning hate until I die?

 

[townfanjon]

40 K , that probably more than you will earn in this job pal .
But money aint everything !!

 

[Stephen Legge]

40 K , that probably more than you will earn in this job pal .
But money aint everything !!

I've spent too long at sea and away to do something else I hate, I'd be happy with 30k after a couple of years, my pension will do the rest.

 

[townfanjon]

Yep your pension is your safegaurd , both my bro in laws are ex army , good but well earnt pensions.
My youngest bro in law went in to this industry but the army paid , by the sounds of it you are paying , please be careful with any fast track courses , we get loads on here were they have paid a fortune and end up with no job at the end of it.

 

[Stephen Legge]

Yep your pension is your safegaurd , both my bro in laws are ex army , good but well earnt pensions.
My youngest bro in law went in to this industry but the army paid , by the sounds of it you are paying , please be careful with any fast track courses , we get loads on here were they have paid a fortune and end up with no job at the end of it.

Most my training and accommodation costs will be paid for by my resettlement grant and ELCAS grants so it will end up costing me about £1k.

My thinking is, do the course get a job working for companies not that strict on experience required for a couple years, then use my lump sum to start up on my own. Or I could do the level 1 and 2 part time at college whilst I'm still in the navy, then do the course after to hone some skills, the course I looked at was 11 weeks I total including 40 day placement. They reckon they find jobs for 65% of students.

I think it's achievable but wanted some honest views.

 

[SimonG]

Ask to speak to the 65% historically who found jobs. Also most companies want experience over bits of paper.

Just things to bear in mind but sounds like you have your head screwed on.

Good luck.

 

[Harvest Fields]

Surely 37 is a typo?

 

[townfanjon]

65% yer right .

 

[SimonG]

Where's @armyash when you need him 🙂

 

[townfanjon]

Where's @armyash when you need him 🙂

Lol , only comes on here when hes stuck

 

[Stephen Legge]

Surely 37 is a typo?

why is it a typo?

 

[Harvest Fields]

Because otherwise you joined the navy at 14?

 

[Stephen Legge]

Because otherwise you joined the navy at 14?

Oh gotcha, I'm in my last 2 years, I joined at 16.

 

[Chalked]

Hi
Not many companies will,take you on knowing they will train you up and in two years you will leave and take a chunk of their customers or work.

Why not go for a normal repair plumber. You need experience and a knack for the job. But no formal qualifications are needed.
Both self employed will earn just about the same. Then do gas if you enjoy the job.

 

[Stephen Legge]

Hi
Not many companies will,take you on knowing they will train you up and in two years you will leave and take a chunk of their customers or work.

Why not go for a normal repair plumber. You need experience and a knack for the job. But no formal qualifications are needed.
Both self employed will earn just about the same. Then do gas if you enjoy the job.

obviously I'm not going to walk in the door and tell them I want to set up on my own...who would be crazy enough to do that?

Thanks for the advice though,I find it hard looking through these posts, it's full of tradies telling me there is no work and the money is crap, yet I can never get one that's free and watch them drive around in £40k transporters all day I think some people are telling porkies on here... maybe they think I'm a HRMC spy...

 

[Harvest Fields]

look at what @pjjunior has posted mate. Click on his name then read the thread. Or click on the search bar at the top Of the page and type in the word military. Read what’s there. Most of the boys on here are college or apprentice trained. I’m ex services and yes it can work. It’s hard graft but it can work.

 

[Stephen Legge]

look at what @pjjunior has posted mate. Click on his name then read the thread. Or click on the search bar at the top Of the page and type in the word military. Read what’s there. Most of the boys on here are college or apprentice trained. I’m ex services and yes it can work. It’s hard graft but it can work.

I can't seem to find it, I cannot view his profile and searching his name or military doesn't work.

 

[SimonG]

Click on his name in harvests post and then click on 10 where it says messages. Takes you to the messages he's posted.

 

[Harvest Fields]

Click on this @pjjunior and where it says 10 next or messages click the 10

 

[Stephen Legge]

Click on this @pjjunior and where it says 10 next or messages click the 10

got it thanks, so basically, how big are my balls to go for it and how much can I graft to get it.

 

[Harvest Fields]

got it thanks, so basically, how big are my balls to go for it and how much can I graft to get it.

Pretty much. I think there are only 3 or 4 of us on here that have done what you are about to that are self employed that have made it work. But couldn’t be bothered to type it all out again. Sorry it has been a long day.

 

[Stephen Legge]

Pretty much. I think there are only 3 or 4 of us on here that have done what you are about to that are self employed that have made it work. But couldn’t be bothered to type it all out again. Sorry it has been a long day.

That's ok mate being ex-army I'm impressed you managed it once. Ha Ha

 

[Harvest Fields]

That's ok mate being ex-army I'm impressed you managed it once. Ha Ha

No worries mate. I know where to come if I need a lift.

 

[Stephen Legge]

No worries mate. I know where to come if I need a lift.

All joking aside thanks for the advice think all I need is someone to say it's possible, I'm going to do it anyway...I'm stubborn like that ha ha

 

[Allgoode]

I have done the fast track course on my resettlement time & yes it does give you a very basic working knowledge of the industry.

I was a WAFU (M trade) with 26.5 years aircraft engineering experience under my belt but getting to grips with different terminology & heating system operation & wiring is challenging but so rewarding when you sort out a pig of a problem that others have been unable to & restoring heating or water for the less able in our society.

The main thing to get to grips with is the hrs & also the limits of your knowledge.

It is a hard graft out there and the companies promising the earth are talking bollocks.

I used Access training in wales at the time but these are no longer accredited trainers as also are quite a few who did not meet the M.O.D's criteria. (Good trainers but the office management (directors) where very elusive at times when people were disgruntled.

The main issue as everyone mentions is experience, you will be at the bottom of the pile but as long as you are open to hard work and continual learning, (everyday is a school day) then you should be ok.

Do as many manufacturers courses as you can and don't worry about feeling guilty about taking time off work in your last remaining months of service.

Above all don't do anything if you are not 100% happy and always ask questions,

Hope this helps & good luck,

Andy