I feel ya, I too made the switch at 38 years old. Just got burned out on the business management thing. Although I was very successful, I needed a change. I found a good technical college locally and a whole new world opened up for me. I found the course work both challenging and fulfilling. Circuits 1-2, Motor controls 1-2, Digital/Devices, Physics, Technical algebra/trig, Robotics, etc. etc. etc... When I attended college we were constantly approached by companies like Toyota, Nissan, Mercedes Benz, even Corvette came calling...looking for skilled electronics techs for their manufacturing facilities.

There seems to be a great demand for Industrial Maintenance Technicians around these parts lately... With a two year IMT degree added to your resume, you shouldn't be hard pressed to find a ~30.00hr job with good benefits and retirement...Probably because manufacturing facilities know full well that they can not function without good maintenance techs and will not hesitate to pay a premium for the right people.

Currently I'm gainfully employed as a General Technician at an aluminum rolling mill. Working closely with both mechanical and electrical engineers, I'm a member of a group of fantastic people who love their work and have every reason to continue feeling optimistic about the future.

The Lineman trade is also a great choice. Those guys are pretty hard core and very tight knit around here. I think there are Ab-Initio Lineman schools you can go to that can qualify you for a good job. Us ex-military types would fit in good here I think, were I 10yrs younger and 50lbs lighter, I would have loved to have done this.

Here's a link to a lineman course in Somerset: http://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0LEV...x6Biv_NFICbiQ-