How Tough is a Total Career Change??

Kwaker_Knacker

Bit of background. I'm currently a joiner working for a Local Authority. However, there is talk of pay-offs, and if I'm one of them, I'm so disillusioned with the joinery game, I'll be wanting out of it altogether. Should I survive the cull, I won't be looking to change with things the way they are, but should my number be up, I'll definitely not look for building work unless I'm totally desperate.

So, for anyone that's also been in their "wrong" job, how did you get into something else, and how difficult was it making the change, finding your niche etc. and was the financial side an big issue with (probably) being on less money to begin with? How difficult is it to get into something else with no relevant experience?

Any guides/links to changing careers would also be appreciated.

Thanks,

Andy.