Thinking of a career change

[WelshPaul]

Apologies if this is in the wrong section, but it is kinda brewing-related.
I've just been given notice that my current job is being axed so will be out of work in a month. I'm working in the IT industry and to say that jobs are a bit flat is a massive understatement. Besides, it's not exactly a rewarding career.

Anyway, one idea I have been toying with is to make a switch into brewing as a profession since it's something that I actually enjoy doing. Can anyone offer any advice on any qualifications/certification that are required and how I would even begin looking for a job like this?
As I said, it's not a definite, it's just something I would consider so any advice would be welcome.

 

[Titch]

LOL

see my topic here

http://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=19147

seems were thinking comms and it is a done deal and time to get a change in life

i wish you well

 

[WelshPaul]

Was there supposed to be a link in that post? :)

 

[Titch]

lol editted

think i might volunteer at my local micro see if i can be a Saturday boy at 38

 

[WelshPaul]

TBH, that is exactly what I was thinking of to start with.

 

[markp]

Get a copy of 'The Microbrewers Handbook' by Ted Bruning.
Once you've read through that you will have a very good idea if you want to take the project any further.

 

[kev]

You looking at working for a brewery or setting up a micro?

K

 

[Titch]

me working at one not sure about welshpaul

 

[WelshPaul]

Kev, I'd also be looking to work at an existing one. I don't have the experience, contacts or the resources to set up a micro unfortunately - that'll always be the dream!

 

[kev]

I've worked for Heineken (Scot Co, S&N, etc) for the last 10 years if I can be of assistance.

Where you based?

K

 

[WelshPaul]

I'm in (north) London, so I would imagine that there is a plethora of small breweries nearby - the only problem is that not many small businesses are going to be looking to take staff on.

At the moment, I'm mostly interested in what experience, qualifications or certficates are required if someone wants to start from the ground up and turn brewing into a career. I have 8 years' experience in the IT industry (plus 3 years as a chef) but somehow I don't think that will be much use!

 

[kev]

This is who we use :

http://www.sls.hw.ac.uk/research/intern ... illing.htm

K

 

[WelshPaul]

The problem with that is if I could afford to not work for a couple of years and decamp to another city in order to do a university degree, I would have already done so a few years ago.
Is it worth just asking around the various local breweries to see what they can advise?

 

[kev]

Yeh I would...but you have to remember something. People that work in a brewery, and I mean WORK in a brewery. Not marketing or IT or anything. The people that actually work in the brewery come from either an engineering or chemistry background. There's a small number that get promoted from within, etc but in reality most people are skilled to a fairly high level and have done either an apprenticeship or formal desk-based qualifications.

You might want to think about helping for free at a local micro.

For info, just checked on our job board and there's no vacancies in any of our brewing locations.

K

 

[WelshPaul]

Ok, thanks mate.