Retraining in your 50’s

[Josie1968]

Hi all…

Quick question, I’d like to hear any stories about people who have switched careers in their 50’s. I’ve just turned 55 this month, curious to hear from others of a similar age who’ve had a change of direction :)

Thanks xx

@HardcoreLadyType I had a look at the fast track detective programme (local force is recruiting) and was tempted to apply - maybe it is worth a punt? The upper age limit is 57!

Fantastic! What type of carpentry do you want to go into? What type of carpentry course are you doing (duration and format etc?)

To answer the OP - my aunty retrained as a midwife aged 50.
My husband just retrained from office work into a niche trade at 40 and was immediately in demand.

I'm in business development and so bored by it I feel like I'm dying. A visiting friend of my husband just asked how my work is and the flat, miserable response I gave him tells me everything and, frankly, makes me feel embarrassed. I want to retrain but, as the breadwinner, my DH can't provide the same financial support to me that I provided to him, so it's something I need to think carefully about.
I'm never happier than when I'm painting and decorating and feel like laptop life has never really been for me.

@Turkeyhen oh do it! If it’s what you want to do, just go for it! Let us know how you get on. You might always regret it if you don’t xx

A few people I know from completely different backgrounds and circumstances began to train as nurses last year.

I haven't asked them directly but I suspect they've been steered there by the JobCentre, as I think they were on some form of benefits or allowances - one was a single parent and two of them were carers of elderly parents who have now passed away.

It seems that they're being funded to study at uni somehow and also they've already got work placements as nursing assistants and they only started last Sept. So, it's all moving pretty fast.

I don't suppose most older people would want to re train as a nurse but after being in hospital myself recently I should say it would be marvellous if they did.

Personally, I would like to re-train as a drug & alcohol counsellor but have no idea where to start. I'm currently in recovery from major illness but when I'm better, maybe by next September, it'd be nice to commence something.

I have just turned 50 and earlier this month and this year I have retrained as a spa therapist and am doing my SVQ in childcare starting next month, I love both jobs as they are so different, I kind of fell into the nursery one during the second lockdown when my place of work closed for a major refurbishment and I didn’t want to leave. I have always done office/reception work but I have now found that I am absolutely in the jobs that I am meant to be as it’s not a chore to go into work. I did night class for the beauty qualification, hopefully you Will find something u can retrain in. There is funding also for some courses, good luck x

Retrained as a Person Centred Counsellor and qualified aged 56 ..looking at staying in this work well into my 60’s and, if I can, well beyond

50, graduated as a psychotherapist. I can see you have done CBT training already. Other therapy training is very different, and you might find it more interesting

CELTA - English language teaching to adults.
I've also got a recent management qualification (completed during covid.)

I joined the prison service at 54

It's a job I'd always wanted to do and I love it....I always knew I would do not so much of a gamble for me

Everyone I know things I'm batshit

@CrispsnDips how long did it take to train as a person centred counsellor?

@WhatsInStoreFor2024 I know someone who was a prison officer and he left due to it being so stressful and witnessing several quite traumatic incidents .. so well done for doing that really difficult job x

Four years to train, Josie, part time: one night a week at College for the first two years and then one whole day for two years. Placement at an agency to gain 100 client hours, 30 hours of personal therapy. This is CPCAB Level 4 Diploma but there are other routes to qualifying but I don’t have knowledge of those.

With your background you may be able to skip Level 2 (the first year)?

I haven't retrained, but I've moved into the Insurance Industry at 50 years old.

I did have to start from base level in frontline doing sales and service calls, but was able to quickly move up. They tend to do a lot of their hires internally so lots of opportunities for promotion and secondments.

I'm feeling some trepidation as I'm about to start my CertTesol tomorrow and I'm 51! So I was glad I came across this thread. It's great to hear that others are also retraining in their 50s and having new experiences! 😍Also glad to find the mature students board via this thread which I'll be following 😊

@Wheresmemum would it be ok if I messaged you in a few weeks to see how it's going? I'll be looking for a new job later this year, and this is something I might consider.

Hi @HarpQuartet of course no problem!

Thank you and very good luck in the meantime!

I've been a foster carer for nearly 13 years, but at 57 am thinking of a change, but the only thing stopping me is a - i'm terrified, b - i haven't a clue what i want to do! My feeling is that i've just been a stay at home mom since my son, who is now 25 came along, and so that doesn't leave me with much in the way of transferable skills. Help!!

I was a Foster Carer for ten years and, at the age of 56, qualified as a Counsellor. I now work in private practice, part time, and as a Personal Wellbeing Advisor with people within the Criminal Justice system. My first job after leaving fostering was with adults with learning disabilities.

Hi,

I am 55 yo and have been a full-time carer for more than 8 years. Was a full-time senior lecturer in HEIs for more than 16 years. Then, took some part-time teaching while caring for my family. I have just been offered to do an MSc in Podiatry and looking forward to retrain in 2026. My previous academic background was in operational research, business and finance as well as teaching them in UKHEIs. Learning is a life long journey and age is no barrier to any learning.

Hi,

If anyone has pursued/pursuing an MSc Podiatry, please kindly let me know your journey in doing this degree. Thanks.