A dad-of-three who changed his life at the age of 45 wants the world to know that apprenticeships aren't just for teenagers.
After taking voluntary redundancy at Vauxhall Motors in Ellesmere Port in 2019, Ian Barrow decided to retrain as a domestic gas engineer before signing up for an apprenticeship with Cadent, Merseyside’s gas distribution network.
He said: "There were a few comments from people asking what the maximum age was – and the replies said there was no age limit, so I thought I’d have a crack at it.
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"I started in November 2022 training to be a first call operative, so we attend gas leaks outside and inside, carbon monoxide alarm fallouts and stuff like that. Because I was training as a domestic gas engineer, I found getting into it was slightly easier - I'm still in training, but there are some similarities in the role.
"I'd worked as Vauxhall for 12 years. I took redundancy because I fancied a career change. I was unsure of how my life was going, so I felt it was best for me to train in a new sector. The training I'm getting is second to none and also the support I get from colleagues and managers.
"Regardless of your age, if you want a change, try it, go for it, because there is training out there. An apprenticeship isn't just for school leavers, it's for any age.
"I think if people want to choose a role at 18 and stick with it for the rest of their life, if that's what they want to do and they enjoy it then good for them. But at any point if you want to retrain, there is the option to do that. If anyone is interested in starting an apprenticeship at any age, I would advise them to give it a go. I'm really enjoying what I'm doing and I have no regrets whatsoever."
Cadent, which manages an underground network of more than 21,000 miles of gas pipes in its North West network, is looking for 55 new apprentices like Ian as part of a new recruitment drive.
Jenny Moten, Cadent’s network director for the North West, said: “Our job is to keep energy flowing safely and reliably to our 2.7 million customers in the North West. To do so we recognise how important it is to attract the skilled engineers and commercial professionals of tomorrow – whether that’s someone taking their first steps into work from school or looking for a career change later in life.
“We are very excited that this year we have opportunities for at least 55 apprentices, including many who will be based here in the North West."
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