I'm 43. I really want a career.

[winkywinkola]

I've been researching construction.

I am interested in construction management.

I would have to do a degree I reckon. To pay for this, I would have to take out a career development loan.

I've found several industry accredited courses.

I've also found that the industry is committed to recruiting more women.

Am I mad to do this? To spend so much on a degree and launch myself into a new career at nearly 50?

I have a BA in English Lit and an MSc in Marketing.

Please some brutal opinions.

It's not just the degree. Construction industry is one of the most traditional sectors. By the time anyone gets into their 40s, the construction industry is looking for people with substantial experience who can "chew the fat" with the very long list of influencers, specifiers, architects, civil engineers, builders, inspectors etc etc........

Depends on how hard-nosed you are, how well you can make contacts. Not sure I'd spend 3 yrs getting a degree in the hope of then getting a job.

I see

But then what's the point of anybody retraining?

If I were you I would find a way to do some kind of work experience/shadowing in the industry you want to be in. Might be a good way to get some advice, and make contacts. But in general, of course you can find a new career in your 40's. Many people do, and life experience counts for a lot.
Be single minded, if it turns out that's what you want, and never take no for an answer.

I didn't want to put you off but there has to be a realistic chance of success with re-training. You didn't say what your current situation is.
One thought for this summer would be to look for/take a - probably unpaid or badly paid - labour-type job on a construction site. Yes it woul be hard work but, looking beyond the menial tasks which that role would inevitably bring with it - it would give you the opportunity to see the overall picture of how a project hangs together. You would need to find the right one - no good going to some trivial revamping on a small project.