I saw a guy do it about 9 years ago - he was 42. I wont name the place but he didn't get paid for the first year or 2 which was the custom at the establishment.
How old are you?
It is not usual. It's togh for young folk to get a foot in the door and it's tough even for trained technicians who've been out the game for a while to get back in.
BUT
The way things are going, standards seem to be having to plummet (no disrespect) because fewer are entering an expanding market so who knows?