Changing careers in your forties, fifties or sixties is far more common than many people realise. You bring a wealth of experience, a strong work ethic and a clear sense of what matters to you. The key is to plan carefully rather than leap blindly. With the right approach, you can move into a sector that energises you for the next decade.

Audit your transferable skills first

Before you look at job adverts, spend time identifying what you already do well. Transferable skills are the abilities that travel with you from one sector to another. They include communication, problem-solving, budgeting, project management, mentoring, customer service and digital literacy.

To uncover yours, gather old job descriptions, performance reviews and any positive feedback you have received. Ask yourself: what tasks do colleagues come to me for? What have I fixed, improved or led? Then map those skills onto your target industry. For example, if you have managed a team in retail, you already have experience in rota planning, conflict resolution and hitting targets — all valuable in healthcare administration or logistics.

• Write a list of your top ten skills and find real examples for each.
• Look at job adverts in your chosen sector and highlight the recurring requirements.
• Ask two trusted contacts to tell you what they see as your strengths.

This exercise builds confidence and gives you the language to explain your value to a new employer.

Run the numbers on your finances

A career change often means a temporary drop in income, and that needs careful planning. Start by working out your essential outgoings — mortgage or rent, bills, food, transport and any debts. Then compare that with the likely starting salary in your new field. Consider also the cost of any professional indemnity insurance or equipment you might need.

Consider these financial factors:

• Pension: Check how a change affects your workplace pension and State Pension contributions. You may be able to continue voluntary contributions.
• Training costs: Budget for course fees, materials, travel and possibly reduced hours while you study.
• Emergency fund: Aim to have at least three to six months of essential expenses saved before you resign.
• Tax and National Insurance: A lower salary may move you into a different band, but it can also affect tax credits or student loan repayments.

Use a simple spreadsheet to model a best-case and worst-case scenario. If the figures look tight, consider a phased move — staying in your current role while you retrain part-time.

Choose a training route that suits your life

You do not need to go back to university full-time. The UK offers many flexible options for mature learners. Some employers will part-fund your training if it relates to your current role, so always ask.

• Part-time or distance learning: Many universities and colleges offer evening or online courses that fit around work and caring responsibilities.
• Professional qualifications: Industry bodies often provide certificates and diplomas that are highly respected and can be completed in months rather than years.
• Adult apprenticeships: Available in England and Wales, these let you earn while you learn, often at a higher level than school-leaver schemes.
• Access to Higher Education Diplomas: A one-year course that prepares you for university if you do not have traditional qualifications.
• Advanced Learner Loans: Government funding for certain level 3 to 6 courses, repaid only when you earn above a threshold.

Speak to a careers adviser at your local college or a free government careers service to check what funding you qualify for.

Test the water before you commit

You can reduce risk by trying your new sector on a small scale. Arrange informal chats with people already working in the role — most are happy to share their experience. Ask if you can shadow them for a day or volunteer on a project.

Other low-risk options include:

• Taking on a freelance or temp assignment in your target field.
• Volunteering for a charity that needs your existing skills in a new context.
• Joining a professional association and attending local networking events.
• Completing a short online course to see if the subject genuinely interests you.

These steps give you real insight and something concrete to talk about at interview.

Plan your transition and protect your confidence

Age can feel like a barrier, but employers value reliability, judgement and life experience. Focus your CV on achievements rather than dates, and prepare answers that turn your age into an asset — for example, your ability to mentor younger colleagues or handle difficult customers calmly.

Set a realistic timeline. A full career change often takes twelve to twenty-four months from first research to first day in a new role. Break it into small milestones: finish a course, update your CV, apply for three jobs a week. Tell friends and family what you are doing so they can support you. And remember that a sideways step or a temporary pay cut is not failure — it is part of a bigger, more fulfilling plan.