Working life begins at 50 - full report

Millions of British workers are still dreaming about what they want to do 'when they grow up'…and they’re aged over 50. 46% of 50-pluses in the UK say they are not too old to start a new career or fulfil lifetime job goals, according to major new research by learndirect Careers Advice.

Is it too late to change career at 50? Join in the debate.

Age is not stopping one in five workers who are less than a decade away from retirement seriously contemplating a career change to fulfil a lifetime job ambition. More than a quarter of this group also admit they want more job satisfaction in their next career move - and for them that means doing something "more worthwhile". In fact, 61% want the chance to learn new skills.

Construction, education and the creative arts were the most sought after job areas amongst the 50-pluses questioned, closely followed by sport and leisure and the media.

Anneka's challenges

Much-loved TV presenter and mother of three, Anneka Rice, has undertaken hundreds of challenges throughout her life. Soon to turn 50, she believes that it's never too late to fulfil your dreams - whether it's gaining a new skill to move up the ladder, taking the plunge to change career paths, or simply taking up something you've always wanted to do. Anneka is now following a lifetime dream to paint, and after studying her passion for five years, she now receives regular commissions to create pieces of artwork.

Anneka comments: "We all have childhood dreams, and despite growing older, it's never too late to pursue something you've always wanted to do, whether you're still working or retired. In fact, almost half of 50-plus adults (45%) have more life goals they want to achieve now than when they were 30. But whether you're 25 or 55, taking that first step to changing jobs or starting a new career can feel daunting, which is why a service like learndirect Careers Advice is a good place to start.”

How learndirect Careers Advice can help

In the past 12 months, learndirect Careers Advice has received enquiries from more than 35,000 50-pluses. According to the research, 30% of this age group feel that they are not equipped with the skills to fulfil a job ambition, which is why more and more people are turning to careers advice services such as learndirect.

Paula Hardwick, Partnerships Manager at learndirect Careers Advice, says: "More and more people are realising their ambitions at a later stage in life. Many won’t have had the opportunity to gain the skills required to fulfil those dreams, which is why a dedicated team of specially trained Careers Coaches are available to offer one-to-one career guidance.

Our job is to help callers explore the value of the skills and experience they already have. And where there are gaps, we can help find a course that is right for them and their long-term goals. We also offer personalised coaching such as help with CVs, application forms and preparation for interviews. What's important is that age should not be a barrier to a fulfilling job or career.

Trying something new in later life

The research has also unveiled a new breed of 'unretireds' - a generation of 50-plus adults who are using retirement to do something they've always wanted to do. One in six (16%) want to learn a new skill and more than one in ten (11%) would consider a new career or job which enables them to fulfil a lifetime ambition.

If you're over 50 and would like to change career or learn a new skill, the learndirect Careers Advice service is available seven days a week from 8am to 10pm. To find out more call 0800 100 900

Watch the Anneka Rice webcast to find out more about this research and her personal experience of how she has carved out another career as a painter later on in life. We also hear from Philip Carver, who totally transformed his career since giving up his chosen profession through ill health. Paula Hardwick also comments on how learndirect can help people realise their career goals and ambitions.

Key findings

• Half (46%) of 50-plus adults in the UK say they are not too old to find their dream job and start a new career
• Almost half (45%) of adults have more life goals they want to achieve now than when they were 30
• One in five (19%) 50-plus workers are seriously contemplating a career change to fulfil a lifetime career ambition
• More than a quarter (26%) want more job satisfaction in their next career move
• For 77% that means doing something "worthwhile"
• 61% of 50-plus workers want the chance to learn new skills
• Construction, education and the creative arts are the most sought after job areas amongst 50-pluses
• One in six (16%) retired 50-plus adults want to learn a new skill
• One in ten (11%) retired 50-plus adults would consider picking up a new career or job, enabling them to fulfil a lifetime ambition
• Almost one in three (30%) 50-pluses feel they are not equipped with the skills to make a career change or fulfil a job ambition