DP wants to change career. Anyone have advice?

[FlyMeToDunoon]

DP worked in Advertising/Marketing as a copywriter. He hasn't been happy in that field for a long time, would like to work in something more physical and has been slowly finding out about land management/forestry.
His hand has now been forced as his employer have announced 're-structuring' and he has accepted voluntary redundancy as his best option. It's an oportunity for us both to change the direction of our lives.
Our problem now is deciding what course of action to take and to throw ourselves into researching what jobs he could possibly start straight away or should he do some training, how long that would take, how we would fund that etc.
Anyone made a similar move or work in a field in which he might be able to work and know what the requirements would be?
Any general advice welcome.

bump

What nobody has changed from advertising to forestry?

Cripes, that's a jump! I don't know, but from various dealings with the Lakes National Park people, I am under the impression that they have to have a lot of equipment training, for a start. Presumably they would then need arborist's training, so they cut the right bits off!

I guess you'll already have contacted the Forestry Commission, but the national park authorities may give you contacts and an idea of how many jobs, in what areas, at what salary, are about.

I suspect if DP has been an advertiser's copywriter, he will find the salary drop dramatic. At least he should be able to freelance as a copywriter whilst training or to supplement your income later on.

I am all for people going for their heart's desire (in my case... it was copywriting!) but I suspect it'll be a tough call.

it is a v. competitive field see here about qualifications and not hugely well paid. but then again i have never met an unhappy ranger. his best bet would be to move into the marketing department of the forestry commission or english nature and maybe work towards a qualification.

Thanks. I have bookmarked that page to show DP WYCYWAG and got a little more information on another thread.
It certainly would be a huge drop in salary but I am planning to do some kind of work too and we are thinking we would need to move to a cheaper part of the country.