Over 50 and trying to find work....................again !

dazzer6666 · Feb 27, 2016

Bozza said:
It's through choice.

But I'll still take your kind wishes, thanks.

I did this in 2014, first time in 30 years. Best thing I ever did and should have done it years ago. A few months off allowed me to clear my head and work out what I wanted to do, and completely changed my perspective. I'm very lucky in that I had a few options appear quickly as what passes for the 'specialist knowledge' I have is in demand but I was prepared to take longer if I had to.

Can understand your frustration OP.....employers should recognise the value in older employees. My senior team are spread over quite a range but one of the best is 59, and is a great role model in a number of ways

OzMike · Feb 27, 2016

T.G said:
What do you/can you do?

Project managing, estimating etc, though I did design and fit kitchens for a long time before and still have all the tools and machinery, plus an aching back.

OzMike · Feb 27, 2016

blue'n'white said:
That's bad news - any chance of giving lessons in whatever instrument you play ?
Hope things get better for you

I've been thinking about this, as I am a grade 8 clarinetist.
No grades for the sax, but very competent.
I was thinking of advertising as a handyman, as I'm good at that sort of thing,
Add some music lessons as well and we could be onto something, I'd have to be careful not to damage my hands though!

OzMike · Feb 27, 2016

Herr Tubthumper said:
Sorry to hear this. Not sure I can offer any help but I wish you well.

And I wouldn't worry about claiming benefits either.

I've always paid taxes and have never claimed anything before, I just have to get over the stigmatisaion thoughts.
I know thinking like this is probably wrong but it was bred into you in my day.

OzMike · Feb 27, 2016

I have been estimating and project managing shopfitting and office contracts.
More shops and offices are closing here than are opening at present.

Rugrat · Feb 27, 2016

OzMike said:
I was thinking of advertising as a handyman, as I'm good at that sort of thing,

Fella I know, early 50's made redundant, put one ad in paper offering handyman work and 6 months later he's turning work away. All word of mouth and he's thinking of increasing his hourly rate.

Keep the faith!!

OzMike · Feb 27, 2016

Rugrat said:
Fella I know, early 50's made redundant, put one ad in paper offering handyman work and 6 months later he's turning work away. All word of mouth and he's thinking of increasing his hourly rate.

Keep the faith!!

Thanks, I've got a large long wheel base panel van as well, so, 'Handyman with Large Van'.
It has a certain ring to it.

Herr Tubthumper · Feb 27, 2016

theboybilly said:
Ticket offices they may be but they will always need train dispatch staff and last time I looked at the vacancy sheet there were a fair few jobs going. I was on the Gatwick Express side and we were always having to pinch Southern staff to cover platform duties due to staff shortages.

They're seemingly always on the look out for drivers as well, they regularly announce this at stations.

smudge · Feb 27, 2016

sydney said:
sorry to pry but ......how old is yer bird....if she's under 35 then i take my hat off to you , if she's over 45 i would suggest you section youself now.....xx

34, been together 7 years, married nearly 3. We met on one of the ships I was on. Very happy, would just like to spend more time at home.

The Antikythera Mechanism · Feb 27, 2016

OzMike said:
Thanks, I've got a large long wheel base panel van as well, so, 'Handyman with Large Van'.
It has a certain ring to it.

We've used the same handyman with van for the last 15 years. Has done all our decorating, cuts the grass, fixes the fences, minor carpentry jobs, clears away rubbish, paints furniture etc. He has built a great little business, stress free and nearly all local. I envy his practicality.

alofbrighton · Feb 27, 2016

Hi Mike, I'm in Adelaide and work tight here too. Manufacturing on the slide BUT care and service industries on the up. Not sure what things are like in that respect in Perth but I recently
found a permanent position with an employer that supports people with intellectual disabilities. A bit of a change for me and job dependent on me acquiring Cert III in Disability but did a week's induction
course and people of all ages there, many with no previous experience. May not be your thing but just a thought. I'm 49 by the way.

OzMike · Feb 27, 2016

Thanks for lifting my spirits a bit guys.
I am currently working on the music lesson poster and then I will tackle the handyman one.

OzMike · Feb 27, 2016

alofbrighton said:
Hi Mike, I'm in Adelaide and work tight here too. Manufacturing on the slide BUT care and service industries on the up. Not sure what things are like in that respect in Perth but I recently
found a permanent position with an employer that supports people with intellectual disabilities. A bit of a change for me and job dependent on me acquiring Cert III in Disability but did a week's induction
course and people of all ages there, many with no previous experience. May not be your thing but just a thought. I'm 49 by the way.

In WA it would seem that you have the same job all your life, if you want to change trades, as it were, you will have to do the courses first and then apply.
If you have no formal qualifications in the position that you are applying for then you just won't get a look in.

OzMike · Feb 27, 2016

alofbrighton said:
Hi Mike, I'm in Adelaide and work tight here too. Manufacturing on the slide BUT care and service industries on the up. Not sure what things are like in that respect in Perth but I recently
found a permanent position with an employer that supports people with intellectual disabilities. A bit of a change for me and job dependent on me acquiring Cert III in Disability but did a week's induction
course and people of all ages there, many with no previous experience. May not be your thing but just a thought. I'm 49 by the way.

PS. I did quite a bit of volunteering when in England, involving working with disabled kids and I enjoyed it.
I also did 2 x stints helping to rebuild the Romanian orphanages years back, harrowing experience but glad to make a difference.
If I had $2million or enough tucked away so my family were secure then I would do volunteer work instead of normal work.

alofbrighton · Feb 27, 2016

OzMike said:
In WA it would seem that you have the same job all your life, if you want to change trades, as it were, you will have to do the courses first and then apply.
If you have no formal qualifications in the position that you are applying for then you just won't get a look in.

Understand that completely, I guess Adelaide's a lot smaller and it seems to be here it's not what you know but who you know. Many years ago I was in between jobs after taking a redundancy package from BT in the UK
and didn't really know what to do. I was however a keen amateur gardener and kept seeing guys driving up and down my road towing trailers with lawnmowers. Within a few weeks I was doing the same having the benefit
of the redundancy money to set up and within six months I was turning down custom. To cut a long story short this led to a fantastic career in horticulture eventually working as a trainer/assessor. I see people around here all the time doing the same and think you could be on to a good thing with the handy man idea if you are that way inclined. From small seeds etc etc! Good luck anyway, I'm sure it will all work out for you.

TheJasperCo · Feb 27, 2016

Wont be long before robots take all our jobs anyway. Still, look on the bright side - at least you've got your health

sydney · Feb 27, 2016

The Antikythera Mechanism said:
We've used the same handyman with van for the last 15 years. Has done all our decorating, cuts the grass, fixes the fences, minor carpentry jobs, clears away rubbish, paints furniture etc. He has built a great little business, stress free and nearly all local. I envy his practicality.

this is what we all strive for ....this is what you will never get whilst there is a middle man involved.... :thumbsup:

GoldWithFalmer · Feb 27, 2016

Can't you wander down to the set of home and away or nieghbours or something,ask to be an extra,plenty of young ladies and free food and perhaps a chance might happen there to be creative.

GoldWithFalmer · Feb 27, 2016

The Antikythera Mechanism said:
We've used the same handyman with van for the last 15 years. Has done all our decorating, cuts the grass, fixes the fences, minor carpentry jobs, clears away rubbish, paints furniture etc. He has built a great little business, stress free and nearly all local. I envy his practicality.

Hope that's all he's been up to :lolol:

Seagull58 · Feb 27, 2016

OzMike said:
I've been thinking about this, as I am a grade 8 clarinetist.
No grades for the sax, but very competent.
I was thinking of advertising as a handyman, as I'm good at that sort of thing,
Add some music lessons as well and we could be onto something, I'd have to be careful not to damage my hands though!

Have you considered contacting the local schools to see if they will promote your clarinet and sax lessons? They may even be prepared to let kids have lessons on the school premises.

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