Careers with a shortage of applicants?

[Looseleaf]

Hi
I'm racking my brains as want to train for something specific to have a useful 'skill' and focused career.
I'm considering law but nervous of its competitiveness (I have a good degree but would need to study for 2 more years with no guarantee of work at the end of it it seems).

I've researched becoming an actuary and would enjoy the challenge but didn't do maths A'level (did economics) so would need to do this first. And although I've always loved all academic work i haven't done any advanced maths and I'd probably find it hard!.

Does anyone work in an industry with a shortage of applicants? It just might help as I think about what to consider as I don't want to train unless confident of jobs the other side.
I have broad interests and loved all my subjects at school so really quite open and trying to be as strategic as I can when have wide interests!

[Looseleaf]

I should add I also need to improve my chances after 7 years as a SAHM so I don't have the confidence I did after my degree/ MA

[Unexpected]

What did you previously study/what field did you work in?

[Looseleaf]

Languages and publishing (books). I'd go back to it but wasn't well paid and more motivated financially now need to be

[goldrabbit]

Social work!

[NewLeafExpat]

I'm looking for the answer to this very question myself!

have u tried searching the recruitment websites for actual jobs advertised and scrolling thru the job descriptions. I felt that helped me with a little inspiration . (which has now disappeared and I'm confused again!)

[FavaBeanPyramidScheme]

I only have negative advice: not law. GDL/LPC is costly and competition for training contracts is (as you say) fierce. Two further years before you're qualified. The only career progression is to partnership. It is not family-friendly. Your "skill" expires the moment you take a break from it.

[OneLittleToddleTerror]

I would like to know too. It didn't take me anytime finding new work after my redundancy last year (within the month of garden leave). But I think it's because I'm in my 30s and worked for a prestigious company. It is also very ageist, but then maybe all sectors are.

DH also talked about not sure what he would do if he's made redundant as his work is very niche. He has talked about retraining as a teacher as there is a a supposed shortage in our area. (He has a physics/maths degree and can program so can teach IT). But then all I hear here is that the shortage isn't real.

So shameless bump for you. As I like to find out what we can retrain in too.

[Jossysgiants]

I work in a niche sector in pharmaceuticals and we cannot find Sas programmers for love nor money.

[NewLeafExpat]

time to google Sas programmers!

[Jossysgiants]

It is also flexible - home working, part time etc. Maths/ statistics/ computing background useful.

See article below:.
www.twst.com/update/62817-hays-plc-action-needed-on-life-sciences-skill-shortages

[SweepTheHalls]

Physics teachers!

[SweepTheHalls]

The shortage of the is real!

[twentyten]

Project management? Engineering companies are desperate! Look at stem careers- also look at what colour is your parachute website/ book for ideas of transferable skills etc.
you may be better targeting a company rather than career initially.
Good it skills and ability to use are rare!

[Iggly]

Oooooo how long does it take to become a SAS programmer....?

[Missunreasonable]

Social work!

Most advertised social work jobs gave 50ish applicants per job. There is a chronic shortage but not enough money to recruit enough people to fulfill the shortage. Hence many newly qualified social workers really struggle to get jobs.

[ElPolloDiabolo]

Has anyone used the eParachute site, or can recommend an equivalent?
I'd love to know where my aptitudes lie and how I might squeeze a new career out of them.

[goldrabbit]

Not my experience missunreasonable

The money is there. Not enough decent applicants

[KatoPotato]

We are desperately looking for RMN's and have an incentive scheme for finding them!

[Missunreasonable]

What is considered a decent applicant though? Don you consider NQSWs as well as those with 2 years plus experience?

[ReallyTired]

That link says there is shortage do experienced applicants. Here in lies the problem!

[sebsmummy1]

How about Engineering? Tends to attract mostly men so women are always considered highly, you need a good grasp of Maths and Physics which it sounds look you have, career wise you can go lots of places with it. My partner is well paid in the Pharma industry, I read in a local business magazine about a female Engineer who is now working within Astrophysics and her career sounded amazing!

You can do an access course to get the relevant degree application qualifications.

[Jossysgiants]

That is true reallytired but demand is likely to continue to be high in this area in the future.

[ReallyTired]

Mossy how do sham get the necessary experience?

[Jossysgiants]

That's difficult to answer really If one had a relevant Maths/ stats or computing degree I would suggest applying for one of the graduate schemes or internships sometimes called academies but run by the companies. If not, then it would be a matter of getting training. Birmingham university have a Sas academy. It is one of the most frustrating things - people bang on about skills shortages but women returner opportunities are like hen's teeth. I am not a programmer but if I could go back in time I would try to do something Science based . Sorry that is not too helpful.

[OneLittleToddleTerror]

Just did a search on SAS on cwjobs.co.uk. It seems all the jobs are in London. Nothing within 30 miles of where I am. They are all for the City, not pharmaceuticals. Where are the pharma based in the UK?