I was previously qualified as an electrician, 16th Edition. I really enjoyed the role, I've always been extremely safety conscious and I enjoyed the process of finding and fixing faults. I was settled and happy in this line of work, however, an opportunity of a lifetime presented itself and I could not turn it down.
I was offered a role as head of security for a well-known historical site. This also included delivering historical tours to high-value members around the building and the general site. Anyone who knows me, knows I'm extremely passionate about history. I often visit the library to extract old records and maps of the local area. I will then map out the changes which have been made. It's literally like walking through time. This role was ideal for me and for many years brought me joy. Unfortunately, the role was only on a contract basis and a change of management meant my contract was not renewed.
This was heartbreaking at the time. It came out of nowhere. It was like the rug had been pulled from underneath me. At the time I was not aware but now it's clear I went through a mental breakdown. I had always been in work and found this position unsettling. I went from a high-paid settled role, to struggling to manage my finances.
I tried to get back into the electrical sector but my qualifications were out of date. I did not have the finances to update these myself. I'm in a bit of limbo at the moment. It's tough searching for work at this age, as there is a lot of stigma about workers at my age. I want to continue working for a number of years and am passionate about moving into an electrical testing role. If I can have a bit of support with the course fees, I will be on my way.