What's a stable job I can train for quickly?

[howtocope]

I'm going through a divorce after 20 years as a SAHM. I've applied for 67 jobs so far, had two interviews and no offers. I'm applying for admin, reception type jobs. Can't do cleaning, catering or retail as I have disc problems in my back. No lifting, standing for hours or repetitive movements.

I have a BA and an MA in art history, an MA in creative writing and have published two novels in the last two years, but I don't make enough money from writing.

I need to find a career where I can make a decent wage (£30,000+) quickly. I have a little time to retrain if necessary, say two years, before the money runs out. What can I do?

I looked at teaching and shadowed a friend who teaches, but I don't think I'd be good at it. I looked at training as a therapist/counsellor but two people have said that the market is flooded with therapists. But I think I would enjoy and be good at that. What does Mumsnet think?

Any other ideas please?

Civil service https://www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk/csr/index.cgi

I'm a speech and language therapist, pm me if you like

Are you good with your hands? My sister is a nail and waxing technician, training cost money but she is so good, last year was her 2nd year self employed and she made 38k. She rents a room in a salon so not as many overheads .

would also suggest bookkeeping, train driver, bus driver, mortgage advisor, estate agent if you have the type of personality to excel at it.

Wouldn't accounting be under real threat from AI in the years to come?

Speech therapist apprenticeships

These are pretty new. Most at the moment wil be going to people working as band 4 speech and language therapy assistants (see the NHS jobs websites)

I'm currently in my final year of an MSc Pre Reg Occupational therapy. I get student finance as it's an NHS degree and £7000 bursary from NHS a year.
Same with physiotherapy, nursing, podiatry etc.
It does involve 1000 hours of placements and is full time but is two years from start to finish.

Probation? Starting salary once qualified is £35k. Not for the faint hearted though

I'd give up on admin and reception roles, to be brutally honest. There is high competition for them and employers will want up to date tech and admin experience.

I'm not familiar with the training length and requirements but OT and SALT training sound the most viable to me so far in terms of prospects. Or you could train in cybersecurity which is a shortage field, but I get the impression that's not your thing. You could also dabble in some FE/HE teaching of writing or private courses if your novels have been decently successful.

I like the sound of SALT and OT. Especially if there's funding for training.

I looked at probation roles but not sure I could hack it.

If you enjoyed working in museums pre-children, you could volunteer for one day a week for a period of time. It would give you a recent reference, recent work experience and perhaps even contacts in that industry for applying for future roles.
Until then, why not split the time with working somewhere like Marks and Spencer, or the supermarket you shop in? The discounts might come in handy while you get to grips with having a better idea of what direction you want your future to go in and, again, recent references and work experience.

Not sure those would be good fit for someone with disc problems.

My dd has been working as a trainee Dental nurse. No need for a degree at that level. Paid nmw as a trainee, training provided on the job. BUT it has elements that OP said they can't do. Lots of standing in one position while aspirating for patients. And lots of cleaning including mopping floors etc at the end of the day.

whatever you choose I would be steering clear of careers that AI can potentially replace in the future.

I've been in admin for over 40 years (also have a degree) and only earn 30K 😞.
There would be a lot of people they would consider before you I imagine that are experienced. Maybe try looking for a salary around £22K which is pretty much a new entrant level.
Local authorities and Civil Service probably a good option?

Probation Officer? Training takes about 15 months I think and a lot of that could be on the job training. Youth Worker? I trained as a Youth Worker and it was about 6 months I think. Speak to your local council about job opportunities, they usually provide training and have a wide range of jobs on offer.

Have you tried temping? Get some up to date work experience under your belt - it really helped me after years of being a sahm.

Foot Health Practitioner.
Very lucrative.
Can qualify in less than 18 months.
Look at the SMAE institute.

Medical or legal secretary?
A friend retrained as a medical secretary, she did a college course (can't remember how long it took )

Stable job.....

Horse groom or farrier???

I'll get my coat.

If you are interested in teaching adults then you could do a one year postgraduate certificate in education specializing in further Ed / lifelong learning.

Given your M level education and being a published author you could also consider university posts as an academic skills tutor, sometimes known as a learning support tutor. This is 1-1 support mainly to help students improve writing skills so has an element of pastoral support. You might be considered for this now, but a PGCE qualification would help.

Many admin roles in universities value good writing skills highly. Also universities like people with a master's. Even without recent admin experience, I'd keep trying for these posts. Have you had anyone with relevant uni work experience check you are selling yourself as well as you might in your cv?

I don't understand why so many people have suggested bookkeeping for this very reason (not forgetting the OP has already said she's crap with numbers).

I run a small business and everything I would have previously used a bookkeeper for is now managed by the accounting software I use and partial or full automation or tasks in may cases.

You could also teach in adult education/college without a PGCE which would allow you to earn while you look for better paid roles & gain the qualifications required.

Social Work is a three year degree. Could do an MA in social work as OP already has a degree.

Ah o/p I wonder if you’re hitting the same issues as me in London.

also degree educated, was applying for entry level admin roles as I wanted a career change. Just wanted anything so was applying and applying but never even got a sniff of an interview.

i have a feeling the roles I was applying for were either being given to young unqualified people who were cheaper and in theory less likely to move on, or people with direct experience. Unfortunately I think in London the market is flooded.

i moved out of london. Started getting interviews straight away and had a 30k admin job in 6 months. I applied everywhere that had formal application/interview processes, so my over qualification/age etc didn’t matter, it was simply about scoring the “points” at interview. So nhs, police, civil service etc.

OP wants to train for something quickly. Not spend years at it as most of these require.

Your issue OP is going to be the 20 year gap on your CV. I wouldnt attempt to start with a permanent role - start with going to a temp agency and try and pick up a basic admin role that will give you some experience under your belt.
You say you have some time to get yourself secure, you need to use that time to build up current experience. Once you have a few months current experience and references you are so much more likely to be considered for a perm role.