Try learning how to write first, it could be a lack of education that's holding you back rather than the area you are working in. Please don't come back and say you suffer from mild dyslexia. If nobody can understand what you are saying, imagine Prof Hawkins without a voice box, you could be the sharpest cookie in the box but it wouldn't matter.
When I was in my early 30s I went back to college, 2 evenings a week for 3 years, at the same time I got a job on the tools. Get on the tools asap, as soon as you're confident set yourself up on your own. You can get a cscs card without paper work, it will just be an unskilled one, not a biggie, gets you on site. Personally I don't do site work, so don't have cscs.
I just searched the internet for volunteering handy, man jobs in your area. There are quite a few organisations looking for help. Whilst it is not paid work it will give you a "feel" for what it is like and get your name out there and some references.
You can choose what you take on if you work for yourself. You will learn on the job and grow in confidence as you develop. Alo you are young so you have time to create a great business. COME ON IN THE WATERS LOVELY!
Find a small friendly firm, or a big company willing to take on older apprentices. you can't jump in and earn big money without investing the time it takes to learn the trade properly, chances are you are going to have to put up with a similar wage to what you currently earn for a good while, but you may be able to boost that with bits of private work. think seriously about it before quitting your job, there's a lot of competition out there and even if you start on good money, the tools you are going to need will take a fair chunk of that. Have you thought about retail in a smaller chain where promotion might be achievable at a quicker pace? while carpenters wages seem appealing, the downside is varying fuel costs depending on how far each job is from home, upgrading and replacement of tools and consumables, maintaining a van, work clothes and PPE, it all comes out of what you get to keep. oh! lastly, if you do go into carpentry, don't do what another carpenter did and ask to borrow my Marples chisels because his were blunt, you won't like the reaction, well, that other chippie didn't anyway. I wish you good luck with whatever you decide.
If anyone is serious about woodwork, then I would recommend buying tools. This has been a big learning curve for me, as I had no one to guide me. I slowly built up my tools. The tools I would recommend for fitting doors and to carry out most woodwork operations are: Toolbox 3/4 Bevelled edged chisel set = good quality Beech mallet - for chisels Stainless steel rule 6"/12" - good quality with etched numbering Measuring tape Mortise gauge Square Stanley knife Bradawl - sharp point Pencil, I prefer mechanical Panel saw Tenon saw Screwdrivers hand - good quality set i.e whia Smoothing plane No4 - look in car boot sales Block plane Sharpening stone(s) - good quality (diamond or other) Drill driver Impact wrench Drill bits ( Flat wood, set of HSS drill) Circular saw with good blade 1/4" router, just brought a Katsu (£31) Trestles - can make own Door stand - can make own
If you are living with parents, then help by fitting doors etc and jobs around the house. As well as shopping.....
Forgot something very important, a broom, dustpan & a hoover, it's makes a big impression on your customers,tradesmen who clean up properly. Didn't include any Bradpoint bits, I find them very handy, as I do hinge drill bits, guarantee your pilot hole will be in the correct for the hinge your fitting. And a luxury a hinge jig,so handy if you have a lot of doors to do on one job, once set up, you can speed up cutting hinge recesses.
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