Honestly … is it silly to retrain at fifty three?

[fiftythreeorfour]

It probably is.

At fifty three, I’ll have an eleven year old and a nearly fourteen year old. They’ll both be at senior school.

So by the time I qualify I’d be fifty five …

And I’d be starting at the bottom.

Daft.

What as? I'd say go for it.

I wouldn't say daft. If you retire at 70, that's 15 years working in a job you like and are qualified for.

As what? Will it have decent pay and better than you’re on now? Will you be happier?

Not silly at all! But I’d love to know what as.

As what though?

I have a friend who retrained later in life as a midwife and loved it. The money didn't matter to her so much but she actually did locum type shifts which I think pay more anyway.

If you're retraining to enjoy life better, go for it.

If it's for the money, possibly not worth it. Though you potentially have many years of work still ahead of you depending on your general financial situation, so if you can make the money up in a couple of years and work another ten, yes. If you're already set to retire in a couple of years, no.

What are you doing now? What would you be doing? How would it affect your plans for retirement/general finances?

I know someone who did it a smidge younger than you but finances weren't an issue for her family

I'm 51 at the end of the month and I started retraining in September . I will be 54 when I'm qualified . It's worth it to me for the earning potential. My youngest is 13. No I don't think it's too old .

Also do you have a partner? Do you have savings?

What in? I’m 52 and miserable in my job so need inspiration.

You only live once.
Do it.

No, only if you are retrain into a job that might have physical limitations that might catch up with you/develop quicker due to strain but I don’t feel you are talking about becoming a builder.

I think with the way tech is replacing a lot of jobs it can be essential.

I may as well say so you can all talk me out of it. Social worker.

I would be looking to retire before 70 I must admit.

Go for it, we need more social workers 🙂

Same! I'm 52 and would be interested in retraining if I could only think of something else to do. Keep hoping for a flash of inspiration one day.

Yes do it!

I'm 51 and in the final year of a degree with similar aged dc.

They've benefited too by me being around more at this tricky age.

We need more social workers, especially with life experience!

If its financial possible go for it!

No, it's not OP. Go for it. The retirement age is 67. If you'll be qualified by 55, that gives you at least 12 years of working (and more, if you want), so why wouldn't you? I'm a couple of years younger than you, I just finished a second degree and am now looking for a job in a brand new industry I've never worked in before. It's both terrifying and a bit exciting, but I tell you what, I'm SO glad to have got out of the industry I was in before! Yes, starting at the bottom in your 50s isn't ideal, but all that experience you already have almost certainly means that you will quickly progress. You only live once!

I’d go for it.
Retrained at 50yo. No regret about it.
It was harder than when I was younger (info didn’t stick as easily) but your life experience will make a lot of other stuff much easier.
And I believe we need people with some life experience as SS!!

Also keeping on learning and using your brain protects from dementia. Good move on a health pov 😉😉

As a foster carer I think an ideal SW in Children's Services (not sure if that's where you want to be) is someone older with life experience and their own children who they have parenting experience of. I'm come across too many young, idealistic SWs who can't see the bigger picture and/or don't really understand what parenting children is like.

My SIL retrained as a teacher in her mid 50s, she loves it. Definitely go for it.

The best SWs I've ever worked with are the ones with real-life experience, so go for it!

It is!

I can’t believe how encouraging everyone is - I was fully expecting to be talked out of it!

If you are doing this with eyes open then go for it - life experience alongside professional training will serve you well. For context, I had a 30+ year career as a SW/Manager in children's services. My sibling retrained as a SW, qualifying at 52 and is now working in a multidisciplinary mental health team.

Go for it.

I retrained as a SW 7 years ago, my children were 2 and 7, and I practised for 5 years. I now work in senior management for a different LA but still in children's services and love my job.
I found all of my life and previous work experience set me up great for the course and the role.

It's a great degree course.
Around Feb/March time LA's usually advertise their SW apprenticeship programmes. The Step Up programme will be advertised in February, too. It's definitely the right time of year to be considering a career in SW.

susw.eu-careers.pocketrecruiter.com/

Hi OP, I retrained as a social worker (child protection) in my 50s and there were people on my scheme who were 60+. Definitely not too old - you’ll have very valuable life experience.

It’s a fascinating job and I loved so much of it. The kids I worked with were brilliant (even the machete carrying teenagers 🫣). HOWEVER there’s no money in the system to support children and families. Workloads are absolutely ridiculous. Completely impossible to do in a 40 hour week. Depending on how you train it can be difficult to balance work, family and academic study (the academic side is so interesting but quite heavy). The work also has an enormous emotional impact and I had a lot of sleepless nights.

I became too unwell to continue but I have friends who are still working as social workers and loving it so don’t let my experience put you off!

Go for it OP!