I’m a time served toolmaker doing an apprenticeship in the 80s I then moved on to programming CNC machines and worked in a few different factories till I was furloughed in March last year. I loved the time off on 80% wage and not doing shifts anymore. The company offered a severance package looking to lose around 50 lads up in the north east, to leave in July last year. I never went back except to empty my locker and was furloughed all the way through.
I retrained doing courses as an electrician passing all the exams and assessments to become level 3 city and guilds. It was hard work learning and doing exams in my 50s but I’m loving it. It’s not cheap and not for everyone but if you’re that sick at work get out of it and something else, life’s too short mate.
If you want any more help on the company I went with I’ll pm the details.
Apologies for waffling on anawl.
Good luck