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Down the drain and loving it
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At the peak of his career as an operations manager in the telecommunications industry, Stephen Walsh managed 60 staff and more than 60 contractors.
In his mid 40s, Stephen was tiring of the four hours a day he spent commuting on top of his long work hours. While he had developed clear goals when he had entered the industry he was unsure how he was going to sustain them for the rest of his working life. With no formal qualifications and unsure of what he could do in terms of a career change that wasn’t related to telecommunications and management, Stephen bit the bullet and turned his back on his successful and lucrative career.
Open to anything that would offer a better quality of life, Stephen was able to work part-time in a plumbing business for a friend. He enjoyed the work so much that he decided to make the move permanent. Aware of the risks associated with being a mature age job seeker Stephen knew that he needed to make a substantial effort if he was going to find any success in his endeavours to find employment. By undertaking a comprehensive web search of all the plumbing companies in his district, Stephen created a database of potential employers. Writing to each one personally, he hoped that at least one of the businesses would offer him an interview or at least file the letter with the genuine intent of contacting him should a vacancy become available.
Stephen’s strategy paid off and he was contacted by Glen Pudsey Plumbing in Gosford, only 15 minutes from home. Glen, having become disappointed by a perceived lack of success with a couple of younger employees, was willing to try someone a little older. The contact was made in early January 2004 and after a 2-week trial he offered Stephen a Plumbing, Draining and Gas Fitting apprenticeship, a proposal that was very quickly accepted.
Stephen, 48, is now attempting to fast-track his apprenticeship by completing his TAFE modules 3 nights a week. At his current pace, he will have completed his Certificate 3 in Plumbing, Draining and Gas Fitting within 24 months, finally closing the door on his old life in the telecommunications industry.
Like many men and women who are choosing to leave established careers and take on something new later in life, Stephen has had to adjust to the significant loss of income and cultural change that has come with his new career. “I may be earning a heap less at the moment,” he said, “but I actually have my life back for the first time in decades and can still look forward to a strong and lucrative employment future with a recognised trade behind me.”
Once Stephen has become a qualified plumber he intends to quickly move to the next level and complete his Advanced Certificate and become a licensed plumber. The new qualification will allow him to start his own plumbing business, work for himself and tender for contracts. “I know it sounds like a cliché, but it really is never too late to start something new,” Stephen said.
Stephen Walsh took positive steps to change careers. |
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