career change with intensive training structure

[Heliumandsnow]

I'd really like a career change , I'm mid thirties.
My career history is probably quite unusual, in that I trained in a specialist arts based subject, and have done that since, between raising my 5dcs.(for context imagine I'm a classical violinist specialising in baroque music, or some such. It's not that, but just to illustrate, it's niche and not massively 'transferable')
I went to university, but the course specialism was not 'narrow' enough for my area of interest at that time, so I left to travel to pursue my route independently. I don't regret this but obviously, it left me qualificationless in terms of having a degree to use to progress into other vocations.
Anyway. Now i'd like to do something different.
I'd like to train again, maybe in a science/ medical/engineering field. Obviously, a) I'm quite old for this
b) I have a handful of children! (But all at school)
The other thing is I don't really want to go back to University. Ideally I'd like to find a job or 'traineeship' where I could qualify while working, in some capacity. Like, the kind of rigorous, specialist training offered by the Royal Navy, but not in a submarine

Bump :)

Do you have science A levels?

I don't have science A levels.
I could take them as an external candidate though, but that wouldn't be until next year now.

Edited to add....
I have qualifications of A level science level, just not A levels precisely (studied abroad)

In my area (Cambridge, but it may well be national) there is a higher apprentice scheme, where you join a company in a lab based role and study for a degree on day release, which takes 3-4 years. After that, you would be qualified for Research Assistant or Research Technician roles. I suspect you would need science A levels or equivalent though, as it requires you to 'do' science from day 1.

Do you have IB or similar? That might be fine!

@grumpy4squash thank you :)
I will look if theres something similar in my area. Yes... Something similar to IB.

Any other suggestions? I know it's a bit of a niche question!

I'm struggling to give you any ideas without more specific insight into what you're good at, what you enjoy doing and what your qualifications actually are.

Not sure what access you have to the facilities at your university but maybe they can give some career advice.