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Stuck in a rut? It’s time to alter that.
Whether you’ve hit a wall in terms of advancement at your current firm, you’ve had to deal with redundancies, or you’re simply looking to explore a new field altogether, changing careers can be the best way to find a job you truly enjoy.
But which career would be best for you, and where should you start your training? Here are 15 career-related courses that may help you change careers:
1. **Administrative, secretarial, and PA courses**
Ideal for: People who enjoy organizing things.
How to get qualified: You can learn at various levels, with courses covering everything from office skills and administration to minute-taking and personal assistant duties. You can also obtain professional certificates demonstrating your knowledge of Microsoft Office, Oracle, and other technologies. Potential job roles include administrative assistant, receptionist, administrator, executive PA, data entry clerk, or administrator.
2. **Accounting and financial courses**
Ideal for: People who are adept at saving money.
How to get qualified: Whether you want to get AAT certified to pursue a career in accounting or gain job-specific skills in tax, finance, or risk management, there are various courses available to help you enhance your employability in this lucrative industry. Job roles may include accountant, actuary, financial advisor, bookkeeper, analyst, investment banker, auditor, or stockbroker.
3. **Sports and Fitness Course**
Ideal for: People who workout for enjoyment.
How to get qualified: There are several courses available that will prepare you to become a personal trainer, fitness teacher, or yoga instructor. Others provide essential knowledge on nutrition, sports science, and massage therapy. Job options include personal trainer, PE teacher, dietician, nutritionist, lifeguard, massage therapist, physiotherapist, and yoga instructor.
4. **Health and Safety Course**
Ideal for: People who usually lift with their legs (and enjoy carrying a clipboard).
How to get qualified: There are numerous health and safety courses available, including accident investigation, risk assessment, COSHH, first aid, and much more. Specifically, you can study asbestos awareness or obtain a NEBOSH certificate, one of the most prestigious health and safety certifications in the UK. Job opportunities include Health and Safety Officer, Firefighter, Environmental Health Practitioner, Cleaner, Maintenance Engineer, and Warehouse Operative.
5. **Construction Course**
Ideal for: People who have never grown out of Lego.
How to get qualified: There are many courses that can help you prepare for a career in construction, such as bricklaying, joinery, plumbing, carpentry, quantity surveying, and real estate. NVQs and City & Guilds credentials are highly valuable in this profession. Potential job roles include bricklayer, architect, joiner, plumber, carpenter, quantity surveyor, construction manager, or laborer.
6. **IT course**
Ideal for: Anyone who isn’t scared of a little Python.
How to Get Qualified: Given the broad scope of the technology field, you can obtain qualifications in various areas, ranging from IT support and networking to web and game design. There are also industry-recognized credentials that can make you stand out to employers, such as Cisco and CompTIA, along with courses teaching essential coding languages like Python and Javascript. Possible job roles include web developer, software developer, technical support advisor, devops engineer, network administrator, game tester, or web designer.
7. **Marketing Course**
Ideal for: Those who do not skip the advertisements.
How to get qualified: There are numerous marketing courses available, whether you wish to learn about email marketing, content marketing, SEO, social media, or digital marketing in general. You can also obtain accredited courses through the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), a well-known professional marketing organization. Potential job roles include marketing executive, copywriter, marketing manager, marketing analyst, content creator, SEO specialist, or social media coordinator.
8. **Language course**
Ideal for: Those who want to understand it.
How to get qualified: When it comes to learning a new language, the options are endless. Whether you want to study Japanese, Spanish, French, Italian, or any other language, there is a course available to help you learn. You can also learn Sign Language or teach English as a foreign language through a TESOL or ESOL course. Possible job roles include translator, interpreter, flight attendant, teacher, international relationship manager, private tutor, and aid worker.
9. **Project management training**
Ideal for: People who consistently meet their deadlines.
How to get qualified: PRINCE2® certificates are the global standard for project management competency, making them a great way to enter the field. Six Sigma and Agile courses are also popular, as they teach essential concepts used in project management. Potential job roles include project manager, operations manager, team leader, scrum master, product owner, or site manager.
10. **Human Resources (HR) course**
Ideal for: People who truly enjoy other people.
How to get qualified: Course disciplines include HR management and employment law, as well as learning and development and recruitment, with your field of study determined by the professional path you choose to pursue. Employers value certifications offered by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), with CMI being an excellent choice for people pursuing leadership roles. Potential job roles include HR officer, HR assistant, HR manager, HR business partner, recruitment manager, training officer, or learning and development coordinator.
11. **Health and Care Course**
Ideal for those who desire to save lives.
How to get qualified: With so many job options in health and care, there are numerous ways to become qualified. Choose from courses in nursing, social care, paramedic training, dental hygiene, and more to prepare for a career in one of the most fulfilling fields. Potential job roles include healthcare assistant, nurse, paramedic, health visitor, care worker, dental nurse, youth worker, social worker, midwife, or pharmacy assistant.
12. **Teaching course**
Ideal for people who enjoy spending time with children.
How to get qualified: While a degree (and a PGCE if your degree is not in teaching) is required to become a qualified primary or secondary school teacher, people interested in becoming a teaching assistant can take shorter and less expensive courses. You can also obtain certificates in child care, nannying, or nursery nursing, which would enhance your employment in your chosen area. Potential job roles include teacher, special education teacher, private tutor, nanny, childminder, teaching assistant, nursery teacher, or nursery nurse.
13. **Business Course**
Ideal for: People who make business their livelihood.
How to get qualified: Courses in business development, business management, and business administration are excellent starting points for anybody wishing to pursue a career in this industry. The British Computer Society (BCS) offers professional certificates, and PRINCE2® credentials may also be relevant. If you already have a degree, pursuing an MBA will help you gain specialized business knowledge and increase your earning potential. Potential job roles include business analyst, development manager, entrepreneur, CEO, business advisor, or project manager.
14. **Animal Care Course**
Ideal for: People who frequently stop to pet cats on the street.
How to Become Qualified: Course themes range from animal nutrition and dog grooming to horse care, zoology, and pet psychology. You can also pursue a course in veterinary nursing and support, which would qualify you to work alongside a veterinarian. However, if you want to become a fully trained veterinarian, substantial degree study (recognized by the RCVS) is required. Potential job roles include veterinary assistant, dog groomer, dog walker, dog trainer, zoologist, animal nutritionist, or veterinary nurse.
15. **Engineering Course**
Ideal for: People who can build bridges (among other things).
How to get qualified: The qualifications you’ll need may vary depending on the discipline of engineering you want to work in, such as aerospace engineering, civil engineering, systems engineering, mechanical engineering, and more. While CPD classes might help with your growth, a degree is typically required for employment. If you already hold a degree in a completely unrelated field, a conversion course is an excellent method to specialize your talents. Potential job roles include civil engineer, mechanical engineer, maintenance engineer, aeronautical engineer, petroleum engineer, structural engineer, or pipeline engineer.
Changing career paths can be daunting, but with the right training and qualifications, you can smoothly transition into a field that excites and fulfills you. Consider these 15 courses as a starting point on your journey to changing occupations and ultimately finding a job that brings you joy and satisfaction.
