Retraining into something physical (40s)

[KPPlumbing]

Like many of us, I'm about to open my pissing, bastarding, arseing laptop and sit infront of it, bored out of my nut, for the next 8 hours.

I'm early 40s and the older I get, I'm finding it increasingly hellish sitting down and staring at a screen all day. I want to move my body.

I've been to the gym this morning, and will break up the day with a dog walk, but I'm finding office work (whether I'm in the office or wfh) terminable.

Have you, or any other women you know, retrained into a physical job (any kind would be fine and I'm not so bothered about salary these days)?

Early 40s is a weird age. I'm fit as a fiddle, but I feel physical jobs are more geared towards men, and some doors feel closed due to my age.

I've looked into firefighting, which has no upper age limit, but they are never recruiting anywhere near where I live.

Thanks!

I was 40 when I trained as railway guard.

Following, because I’ve always wanted an outside job but have spent all my working life (am early 40s) in front of a computer.

What about working for the post office? I have a friend who does her delivery route on an electric bike with massive panniers and I’m jealous!

The way I see it, at 40 you’ve still got so many years of work left that it’s totally worth changing careers if you want to.

I always think I’d love to be a Postie for this reason!

I have a physical job and I'm a bit broken by it. But having said that, I would have loved to have worked in gardening somehow if I had my time again.

Oh wow, fantastic! How did you get into that and what were you doing before?

I would KILL to be a postie! All of that walking and fresh air, yes please!

Countryside Ranger
Outdoor Activity Instructor
40 isn't too old but I think I would avoid very strenuous jobs.

What job do you do?
My husband is in a physical job so I know it's not all roses, but Im at a point where id rather break my body than break my brain at this point.

depends how physical - labouring on a building site is gonna break you buy your 50s

Dogwalking business should be ok though. Or nursing involves a fair bit of walking and people seem to manage that up to retirement..

Countryside ranger would be a dream. Do people just apply for these types of jobs though, or is there an extortionate (rip off) training course you have to do first?

I'm 53 and have just gone for a job as a hospital porter! It looks like a varied job, chatting to patients and the public. Lots of being on your feet, but not unmanageable...

Yes I'm always drawn to nursing, but my friend applied recently, with an excellent CV (experience of working in a caring role, working with the public, and experience of working for the NHS) and got rejected, and I think nurses are qualifying (after 3 years of working for free) and not managing to find a job at the end of it. I think I'll look into it again though.

I was a doctors receptionist before. I desperately wanted a change and to get out from behind the desk. I saw the job advertised and applied. They provide all the training you need. The only downside is you have to prepared to work shifts and it’s not Monday to Friday

That's brilliant, very inspiring. I'd quite like shift work tbh, to shake up my routine, and I've not got kids to work around.

I'm in my mid-thirties and run my own dog-walking business. There are lots of people in their forties and fifties (and older) in this industry :)

I loved working at an Amazon warehouse (even though it was temp and mind numbing), I clocked 20-25000 steps a day. No rain either.

I’d be very careful with something very physical, as you age recovery from injuries becomes longer and longer.
I think posties have spinal problems due to carrying heavy bags.

NHS jobs suck at the moment for nurses, physios etc, I’d not choose those right now.

Any kind of dog walking/pet sitting is in high demand in our area. Cleaning? Involves steps, movement. Another service that’s in high demand in my area. (And I can’t afford to outsource because I’ve chosen and NHS career. 😃)

Kids is why I waited until later to get a job that wasn’t 9-5. I like shift work but it’s not for everyone.

Countryside ranger work is hard to get into, a family member is trying, the ones advertising here are asking for a high level of qualifications and experience, most people have to do a lot of volunteering to get the experience.

I have met a couple of men recently who have changed career in their 50s and love what they are doing, one is a healthcare assistant in a hospital, the other is a teacher in a private junior school.

Do you live 5 minutes from a fire station? They always seem to be recruiting part time firefighters

The only park rangers ( national park) I know were volunteers first. When you do get a job it’s really really badly paid. I would love that job though.
Totally agree RE being sat in front of a screen. Covid killed my job by bringing all meetings online. I don’t even get to walk down the bloody corridor to another room anymore.

Can I ask approx what you earn a year? I don't need a huge salary, but it's liveable presumably?

Paramedic? A lot of the training is on the job so better than nursing in that respect. Quite a bit of sitting, but not in a fixed position staring at a screen.

I retrained as a massage therapist in my 50s lots of movement but I work in dim lighting so if outside is your thing not suitable. But I work for myself and choose my hours and get lots of free time to spend how I want.

I've thought about setting myself up as a green cleaner who only uses eco products. I like cleaning! I'd love to buy the equipment and then do those extreme cleans, hired by the Council.

That sounds great. How long did it take to train? Did you train alongside a day job? Dod you find clients easily enough?