Career change after 50 - where do I start?
Have you been in your current job for a while but now need to make a change?
There are lots of reasons why you might need to change. The world of work changes quickly. If changes have come in, such as new technology or new ways of working, you might need to get new skills or do a course to keep up to date in your current line of work. If your job has come to an end, you might need to update your skills if you want to get into a similar job. You might be unable to do your old job anymore and need to think about a change.
It could feel like a tricky time for you if you've enjoyed career stability for some time, but you'll have built up a lot of valuable skills and experience which you can use to get your next job. It might have been a while since you last looked for a job or examined your skills, but once you get started you'll be able to plan your way forward.
If you need to make a change from your old job, read on to see how you can look forward to the next chapter in your career.
I need to get new qualifications to stay in my current line of work
Qualifications are important nowadays. You'll have a lot of experience in your line of work but if a new qualification has come in and become the standard in your job area, you could consider getting it to keep yourself up to date.
You can check out our job profiles to find out which qualification would be best for your line of work. Job adverts should also tell you which qualifications are in demand. Also read our guide to choosing the right course.
Once you've identified the best course for you, you can search our Learning Directory to find a course provider to suit you. If full-time study isn't an option, you could think about part-time or distance learning courses. You can call us on 0800 100 900 if you need help finding the best qualification for you.
How can I update my skills?
If you've been in one job for a while and it's come to an end, you might need to update your skills to get back into the same kind of work. You can find out which skills are needed in your type of work by looking at job adverts and trade journals or websites. If you contact your professional or industry body they might be able to tell you about programmes where older workers can be updated on recent changes.
It's particularly important you keep your IT skills up to date because technology changes quickly. You can call us on 0800 100 900 to get help deciding which course would enable you to update your skills the best.
I can't do my old job any more - what are my options?
If your usual job is a physical job, it might be that you can't do it anymore due to illness, injury or because it's too physically demanding. With your experience you'll have plenty of options for sideways moves.
For example, if you've worked in the building trade think about hardware retail work, costing building projects or support functions such as human resources. If you've worked in heavy industry you could think about quality management or health and safety. If you call us on 0800 100 900 an adviser can help you to decide on a new career.
If you're off work due to injury, your local Jobcentre Plus can advise you on benefits. You can get impartial advice on legal matters such as compensation from your local Citizens Advice Bureau. If you've got a disability and want to do a course you can read our page on help for students with disabilities.
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