After many years working as a 3D artist sat in front of the computer for hours on end the passion has gone and I'm looking for a career change. Something more physical.I've always been a more of a outdoor/physical person but was advise when leaving school to do something I was good at which was drawing. Otherwise I would have been doing something in the construction field.
The house I bought 4 years ago needed extensive work. Plaster in most of the rooms was blown and needed to be re-done. I pulled it off back to brick and employed some plasterers in to board & skim downstairs.
After talking to the plasterers asking questions I was getting more and more interested in it and wondered if a) If it would be something I would enjoy and b) could I plaster to a reasonable standard.
When it was time to move onto another room in the house I decided to have a crack myself. Wasn't too confident so I started with a small wall and sure enough, made a bit of a pigs ear of it... mixed it a bit too thick and panicked as it dried to quick. Not as easy as it looks!!
Anyway, a the next day I went over the same small wall again got the mix right and did a much better job. Over time and moving onto the other rooms mainly the bedrooms confidence started to grow and the overall finish was starting to improve. All rooms are finished now and I feel I have gained at least a bit of experience in boarding, taping, beading, mixing, patching and skimming on both walls & ceilings. I would be no means call myself a plasterer or an expert in this field but I did enough to enjoy it and decide this is the area I want to go into.
As we only have only salary coming in, a family to support and mortgage to pay I cant afford to quit my job and work for next to nothing for a couple of years while I build knowledge and speed and experience. Ive look at possibly using a years holiday in one go which would be a month and doing a crash course. But looking on other plasterers forums most people are saying some of these are a waste of time and money and you will learn nothing.
I've also thought about asking any plasterers who would be willing to take on a labourer my time would be free of charge I would just want any travel expenses to be covered. But of course not everybody works weekends unless really busy and unfortunately that realistically are the only times I could do anything at the moment.
In my situation I’m thinking an apprenticeships might be the best route but I'm not aware of any apprenticeships that are willing to take on a 39 year old and pay a bit more than what a 16-18 year old would be on just so I could survive.
Can anybody on here suggest a better way to get into the industry?
Alternatively if theres any companies big or small preferably in the doncaster or south Yorkshire area that would be willing to give me a chance or could possible point me in the right direction that would be very much appreciated.
Thanks
The house I bought 4 years ago needed extensive work. Plaster in most of the rooms was blown and needed to be re-done. I pulled it off back to brick and employed some plasterers in to board & skim downstairs.
After talking to the plasterers asking questions I was getting more and more interested in it and wondered if a) If it would be something I would enjoy and b) could I plaster to a reasonable standard.
When it was time to move onto another room in the house I decided to have a crack myself. Wasn't too confident so I started with a small wall and sure enough, made a bit of a pigs ear of it... mixed it a bit too thick and panicked as it dried to quick. Not as easy as it looks!!
Anyway, a the next day I went over the same small wall again got the mix right and did a much better job. Over time and moving onto the other rooms mainly the bedrooms confidence started to grow and the overall finish was starting to improve. All rooms are finished now and I feel I have gained at least a bit of experience in boarding, taping, beading, mixing, patching and skimming on both walls & ceilings. I would be no means call myself a plasterer or an expert in this field but I did enough to enjoy it and decide this is the area I want to go into.
As we only have only salary coming in, a family to support and mortgage to pay I cant afford to quit my job and work for next to nothing for a couple of years while I build knowledge and speed and experience. Ive look at possibly using a years holiday in one go which would be a month and doing a crash course. But looking on other plasterers forums most people are saying some of these are a waste of time and money and you will learn nothing.
I've also thought about asking any plasterers who would be willing to take on a labourer my time would be free of charge I would just want any travel expenses to be covered. But of course not everybody works weekends unless really busy and unfortunately that realistically are the only times I could do anything at the moment.
In my situation I’m thinking an apprenticeships might be the best route but I'm not aware of any apprenticeships that are willing to take on a 39 year old and pay a bit more than what a 16-18 year old would be on just so I could survive.
Can anybody on here suggest a better way to get into the industry?
Alternatively if theres any companies big or small preferably in the doncaster or south Yorkshire area that would be willing to give me a chance or could possible point me in the right direction that would be very much appreciated.
Thanks
