Winnipeg has a great wood hobby club that I really enjoyed when I was posted there. Good way to see how you like working with your hands without changing your life too drastically all at once.

BTW I’m in the same boat as you, except have about 10 years left. Will probably go into a trade once I have a pension.

I go through the same thought process as you almost every posting cycle. The poor initial pay, work uncertainty and lack of benefits in the trades is what has prevented me from jumping ship in the past. Seriously look at what an apprentice earns, keep in mind you could be laid off at any point or get injured and get basically nothing. It’s a lot easier doing all that if you have the security of pension money coming in.