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Never too old!
Western Australia's Oldest Apprentice
Ever thought of taking up a different trade?
At the age of 64, former gun shearer Julyan Sumner is starting a plumbing apprenticeship!
He has told the ABC that after almost 40 years working sheds across Australia, Europe, the UK and US, he realised declining sheep numbers meant his days were numbered.
Now he's one of many older workers looking for a new start.
"I must admit when I first left school I wasn't interested in being an apprentice because the pay was terrible and being a shed hand it was six or eight dollars a day which sounds terrible but back then it was great," he said.
It was a chance meeting a few years ago with a young licensed plumber who was looking for a reliable worker that led Mr Sumner to put away his shearing gear and start working as a trades assistant.
"Look, it's out of necessity that I've done this because my super is not going to keep me….but fortunately it's an enjoyable thing that I'm about to undertake."
Source: ABC News
