A reader asks how to go back to a previous love as she embarks BACK to a second career, and wonders if she is too old for apprenticeship programs.
Q: I am starting my second career and need some help.
My previous career was in the cosmetology field, 20 years experience and I still have current manager's license. I left this field because I was burnt-out and thought I wanted to do something else. I miss doing hair and now realize I want to return back to cosmetology and open up my own business. I have always wanted to study hair abroad: Paris, France, Canada, California or New York.
My question to you is, do they have any apprenticeship programs in this field and in those areas? I have been searching and have not come up with anything. I do find apprenticeship's for younger people but nothing for my age group. Please Help!!
A. Good for you – realizing what you want to do, and doing some initial investigation into upgrading for your “new” career! You recognize that although you have previous experience, you need to again start on the ground level as well as re-educate yourself in your previous field of employment.
Apprenticeship means getting paid while training – and age is not a limit. Most trades insist on some kind of apprenticeship – it helps to ensure the student is in the right area, gives some experience, and of course some necessary cash!
A quick search through Yahoo! found the following links – all these links describe their apprenticeship programs and/or requirements, as well as training. The best ones are at the end, but please read all to get an idea.
You mentioned your interest in Canada, but not a particular province. So here’s a sample:
First – in Manitoba (mid province)- eschool - excellent site for information in general, their courses, and apprenticeship rules for Manitoba.
In contrast – here’s one site from Nova Scotia (on the Eastern coast): its program is 50 weeks nscc.
Spabeauty - has schools even in Japan, so this would also be a good contact to look for apprenticeship programs.
Ciabc - The best one though, in Canada – is this link from British Columbia (West Coast) – it’s the Cosmetology Institute Association in British Columbia – and tells you everything you need to get accepted into the Apprenticeship program in BC.
Success Via Apprenticeship - gives the information about applying for an apprenticeship program in New York – and yes, you DO qualify – as long as you “can demonstrate proficiency in his/her area”.
There’s lots of information and choices! Good luck with your “new” (going back to the career you love) endeavour!
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Copyright October 12, 2007. Paym Bergson & Suite 101. All rights reserved. Any unauthorized use of this material will constitute an infringement of copyright.
