Retraining at 50

[BlitzenandMikey]

Anyone done this?
What did you retrain as?
Have you made a success of your new career path?
Did you have to self fund?

Just curious, as currently working as a TA in a special needs school. Only been there a couple of years, but have a permanent contract, after starting fixed term. Quite like the job at times, but pay shockingly poor
( well TA pay in general is) .
Been thinking about the next 17 years of work life and how I might spend it.

I’ve been a teacher ( left that profession years ago) worked for net mums, been a one one in primary, job coach and now TA.

What have you all retained as?
How easy was it to find work at 50?

I don’t want to be self employed.

Thanks.

I'm currently applying for civil service jobs at the grand Old age of 51. They do blind sifting, so no age, name or identifying features when they first look at your application. Fingers crossed! We ainten't dead yet 😉

what about moving into a sendco role or safeguarding as you are already in a school environment?

Mabel, I really fancy being a job coach for the dwp, , but have never passed the competency tests at the beginning,
I might try again actually!

Good luck! 🤞

Following.

I've had no joy job-hunting for a long time and it's battered my mental health.

I'm wondering about retraining, no idea doing what and worried about £££ it may cost, but if it was something that would definitely lead to me getting a job rather than spending the next x-many years job-hunting, it would be worth considering.

There were quite a few people in my cohort who were in their 50’s retraining to be an occupational therapist. All of them found work very easily

I'm doing the civil service job site at the moment no joy so far 😩 couldn't pass the personal statement for the job coach

The tests and statements are madness!
I tried many times years ago and failed miserably each and every time, so gave up in the end.

Actually, I have no idea how anyone enters the civil service??

I'm 41 and have just been accepted onto a course to become a social worker after years of working within education. I'm terrified but excited!!

I've had no joy job-hunting for a long time and it's battered my mental health.

christina, what kind of work at you looking for?
It is very soul destroying when you job hunt for so long and get no where.

I think you have hit the nail on the head re: retraining leading to a job. If it was guaranteed to lead to a job, then as you say, definitely worth it.

I probably won't look at retraining as such, more just looking at what transferable skills I have, which can be taken to other jobs.

I'm looking into getting back to work (Childminder for many years) I'm 53 and I think like Biden, I've still got a life to live and stuff to achieve?

I was in the university admin then the NHS. I might try civil service!

Good luck River,
Sounds like you have a good foundation for the CS.

My admin skills aren’t great, but I can use a computer etc.

I qualified as a Counsellor at the age of 56 - after four years of part-time study, which enabled me to set up my private practice (working part-time) and securing a post as a Wellbeing Advisor. You’re never too old! My past career includes Fostering, secretarial work and lots of volunteering 😄

I mostly like my job, but I occasionally feel a bit bored of it. I turn 50 this year and often wonder if I could do something completely different.

My job is sedentary, entirely WFH since the pandemic, all at the desk. I sometimes daydream about a job that would get me out of the house and moving around. Today's random thought was that I could retrain as a plumber! I probably won't get round to doing anything about it though.

Sometimes for a bit of diversion I'll go onto a jobs website (I use Indeed) and just leave the search blank but put in my home town, then have fun looking at all the random jobs that crop up and wondering which I'd realistically get.

I had an interview for a Civil Service role earlier this year but flunked it.

I retrained in HR at the age of 53. I’m thoroughly enjoying my new job in a small HR office.

There is this review of jobs boards which lists the jobs boards (in theory) supporting people over 50. It includes links to the different boards and it's free to access and run by a non profit:
BraveStarts

I too suggest the civil service, it's vast, loads of internal opportunities and there is blind recruitment which is good. Don't give up applying, there is a lot of good info online to help you with behaviours and personal statements etc. It is a numbers game too. Best of luck.

I've just passed a interview for the civil service and I'm 49.I had to revise like crazy for the interview, found it quite traumatising!

I wouldn't say it was my ideal job but I'm just glad I'm in;I went for a job where they had like 30 vacancies so guessed I stood a better chance of getting in. Once I'm through my probation I aim to look around for other roles (unless I do actually like the role I have).
I really think the civil service would be a great employer for all ages, do think the interviews are an absolute nightmare though and heard you've got to build a hard skin and just keep applying if you get turned down (but that's easier said than done).

I will say I applied in March, interviewed in April and I'm still not started yet. They are incredibly slow.

I don't really care about my age (I guess ask me that when I'm with a bunch of people half my age ha ha) I'm looking forward to new things and having soke job security