Considering Retraining at 47?

westv

...well 47 in 10 days anyway.
Looking to find a new job after redundancy. One option is to retrain and the idea of a totally new career does appeal to me. At the moment I'm going to only really consider anything where the training can be done in 12 months or less as I don't think the length of time I am likely (or want) to be employed until returenment warrants much longer. Does that make sense? Also, daft question but what do most people do for income whilst retraining? A basic low paid job?

Oldernotwiser

westv wrote: »

...well 47 in 10 days anyway.
Looking to find a new job after redundancy. One option is to retrain and the idea of a totally new career does appeal to me. At the moment I'm going to only really consider anything where the training can be done in 12 months or less as I don't think the length of time I am likely (or want) to be employed until returenment warrants much longer. Does that make sense? Also, daft question but what do most people do for income whilst retraining? A basic low paid job?

As you have more than 20 years of working life ahead of you, retraining for a new career makes perfect sense. I've known several people to start training as a nurse in their early 50s.

What are you thinking of retraining for and how are you planning to do it?

maninthestreet

What are your current skills?

Rueben_2

Do it, my mum landed a job as a probation service officer at 50, after some serious professional development, she's now a full probation officer on around 60% more than when she started (after 8 years) and has a degree (1st class) and NVQ Level 4 from training. This after spending 20 years as a lab technician and youth worker!

Zazen999

I know I'm a few years younger [42]; but I've just had my third career change after training myself up....and just landed the job of my dreams. Enthusiasm cannot be learned and employers are looking for something a bit more than the run of the mill. People who retrain to do what they love are few and far between - so go for it.

westv

Ok thanks for the replies. In an ideal world I like to be able to retire by the time I'm 55 which would give me about 9 more working years. However, I know it's not an ideal world and, if I found something I loved doing, then my career could go on longer anyway.
As to what I would like to do that is what I need to find out. Something in IT appeals but I know that is a very cut throat industry and experience always seems to be required. Perhaps something related to counselling? Experience could be obtained via voluntary work. What I might do, if pratical, is see if I can get a short "taster" session for all the subjects I would consider to see which I liked most and which was likely to have the best chance of employment at the end.
I assume I'm correct regarding income during training although I know the Government pays for courses in certain circumstances.

Zazen999

Westv - what do you LOVE! Is there anything that makes you feel faint if you could do it all day every day?

Oldernotwiser

Zazen999 wrote: »

Westv - what do you LOVE! Is there anything that makes you feel faint if you could do it all day every day?

I can think of only on job which would make me feell ike that and I don't think I can mention it on a family forum!

Lokolo

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

I can think of only on job which would make me feell ike that and I don't think I can mention it on a family forum!

HAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHA. In all the time I've posted on here with you, I never thought I would hear something like that. Bloody brilliant. :rotfl:

Zazen999

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

I can think of only on job which would make me feell ike that and I don't think I can mention it on a family forum!

Oh My!!!

westv is still thinking about his answer......

westv

Zazen999 wrote: »

Oh My!!!

westv is still thinking about his answer......

I am. What do I really love? That's really difficult.
If surfing the net looking for info was a do-able career then maybe I would choose that.