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 think this really depends on where you are looking at working - Ranger jobs in places like National Parks will always be sought after but in less glamorous spots it will be a different story.
Experience as a volunteer is probably more valuable than qualifications.
There's a jobs/voluntary jobs listing called the CJS (countryside jobs service) which might be worth looking at for ideas.
There's quite a lot of growth in areas linked to land management and biodiversity.

Trained as a hospital HCA post 40. Lots of time spent on my feet!

I am late forties and have just got through a year long recruitment process to be a trainee train driver. I’ve worked in an office job for over twenty years. Cushy hours, wfh, great annual leave etc etc but bores me to death. I have never done shifts and have every weekend and BH off so it will be completely different but I needed something to change. Never expected to get this far with it tbh. Have now handed in my notice and start in the autumn. Scared but excited too.

I would pay ££££ for a non-intimidating fitness coach for a middle aged market. Even more for a gentle cycling coach who would come out with me to show me safe routes, best crossing points, bike storage points etc.

I retrained in my 40s for childcare. It's not physically demanding really but there is constant movement and no desk work. The outdoor element is fairly boring though we are mostly standing around. Almost every day at some point there will be a dance routine or yoga or crawling around like an animal, if that's your thing! Needless to say you need to really enjoy children.

What is the training process like for this?

Wow, seriously good for you. It's not only a real change of pace, but can be a job for life.

I know someone training to be an air hostess at 56. There is no upper age limit, which really inspired me.

Congratulations on retraining. I like kids, but haven't had my own and don't have much interaction with them, so don't think this would suit me, but I like the sound of it.

Late 30s I retrained as an aircraft mechanic, two women older than me (one even in her 50s) trained with me, and I'm also training in carpentry now too. Love doing a physical job, even if it is tiring (and even though its tiring I'm adding a wood and metalwork evening class too)

I retrained as a Pilates instructor when I was 40. So I could fit work around childcare and school. I do really love it and have had clients stay with me for 7-8 years! I’ve seen some clients through 2 pregnancies.

It’s lovely building relationships with clients and helping them.

I get time to walk my dog in between classes. I’ve had to cut down massively though as it does get exhausting. I have a waiting list. It’s a popular industry.

One downside is taking time off when you’re ill. I dont get paid and doing a physical job when you’re feeling ill is awful! You can make yourself worse

So just think about practicalities. There’s a balance somewhere.

How did you train for it? How long is the training?

Horticulture. Doesn't have to be power tools and outdoor tidying up. I do a mix of advising people on their gardens, specialised tasks such as pruning or weeding within established planting, planting design and then the buying/planting up.

I've also worked in a garden centre, as the outside tidier upper (sorry, hedge cutting is awful, even if you are paying me) and a grower for a farm shop before deciding to do it for myself now.

There is a market for people who actually know plants to do the more detailed, not power tools work

I’m the same, nearly 40 and stuck in a job that should be people centred and interesting but in reality is 90% computer based 😭. I dread every day. There’s loads of things I’d love to do; work in a doggy day care, dog walking, any sort of fitness classes, work in a gym but unfortunately I don’t have the capital to start my own business and I can’t afford to earn minimum wage 😭😭.

I feel the same OP.

I'm starting a RHS qualification soon - not that I think it will lead to paid employment but it might get me started volunteering. Also considering training as a swimming teacher but its reasonably expensive and I suspect its one of those things where lots of people train for very few or non-existent jobs.

I have recently started working at my local hospital. No previous healthcare experience. It is only band 2 but I work evenings and the enhancements make it much better pay. Lots of patient contact, no personal care. I am really enjoying it. After over 20 years behind a desk it was the change I needed. I wont be making my fortune but I feel like I actually do something worthwhile now.

Oh and I’d also reeeally like to work with horses or teach watersports. So many ideas, so little money 😭😭.

and @Jerrypicker I had 7 weeks on the job training/shadowing, then I had to complete the Care Certificate within a few months of starting the job.

It seems to have a high turnover so most hospitals will be recruiting most of the time I would have thought.

If you do it because you enjoy it and want to help people, and not because you need the money, then I think that helps.

Obviously there can be tough days but most teams are amazing to work with and everyone helps each other. The long shifts can put a lot of people off, but if you join the bank you can choose which ones you want and be as flexible as you like.

Can I ask what you do there?

I'm going to look into this, thank you. We've got 2 hospitals nearby.

I did a full beauty course which is two years but easily done in less timeband could work part time round it. I set up on my own 4 years ago first 6 months slowish but now i am so busy its madness.

Oh and after all expenses taken out I'm on about £40 an hour

Yes me ! I wfh, and if I don’t make a conscious effort, can do less than 500 steps a day which is awful. Aside from the physical impact, I was also going slightly stir-crazy with lack of in person contact so decided I needed a side-hustle on my feet with people. I initially planned to volunteer with scouts once a week but then saw an opportunity to train as a swim teacher & be paid to work very PT and flexible.

i trained earlier this year and it’s been absolutely ideal for me and I feel so much better physically and mentally. I kept my FT desk job and used annual leave for training and just work a couple of evening/weekend shifts swimming teaching. From September I have managed to negotiate a 4 day week (dropped half a day and the other half compressed hours) so adding a regular half day and Sunday morning swim teaching. Added bonus is free gym/swim membership so now not only do I get up & about twice a week I have also started swimming more regularly again. Can’t recommend enough happy to answer any questions most obvious is no, you don’t have to be an amazing swimmer. You will be taught how to teach, stroke technique teaching practises etc and then and an awful lot comes through experience, CPD, shadowing others etc.

What do you do if there’s no personal care and how did you get trained? And what is your job title?
All sound like silly questions but I’m really clueless..😃

I work as a radiology assistant, I collect patients, look after them during the time they are with us, clean the equipment, keep on top of our lists as well as anything else that comes up and needs doing.

Pilates training took about 18 months - there are lots of options, depends on how much time & investment you want to give. Took a couple of years to build up schedule & profile (& confidence!) sufficiently.
I earn about 15 K part-time. Had to cut back as was burning out slightly. It’s very popular atm. I think many clients also appreciate a slightly older teacher!