Looking for inspiration....

[Snadger]

I swapped a high paid Engineering job for a low paid job in Horticulture.................that was 25 years ago! I've never looked back!

Got myself edumicated at my employers expense and have moved as far up the ladder as I wish to go. In the early stages it was hard to keep a wife and family on the measly wages at the time but with time the wages are starting to get away from old Agricultural farmhand rates as the job becomes more technical. I enjoy the outdoor life and 'hands on' approach. I am practically my own boss and even though jobs have come up internally that I am well qualified for, I haven't put in for them because I'm happy where I'm at!
Not well paid......but comfortable!

With so many youngsters that are well trained, Im not so sure that doing a basic horticulture course would help with employment though?

Good luck with whatever you decide to do Incy, but unless you have the gift of the gab like Monty Don, don't expect to make your fortune!

[OllieMartin]

When I was made redundant last year I signed up at all the employment agencies in town, it was the middle of the 'Great Unpleasantness of 2009' so jobs were thin on the ground. I found it quite interesting when agencies would ring me with a job that was slightly out of my comfort zone and I'd go to the interviews anyway. I found it was good practice and the interviewers would know if I was well suited to the job anyway (of course I did my research before going too).

At the time I had a degree in computing, experience in warehousing and distribution, database administration, team management and most recently customer service, sales and soft skills training. One of the more interesting jobs they put me forward for was training people with autism to help them gain employment. I didn't get the job because I wasn't enthusiastic enough about it, and frankly they were right. But it made me think about going off the beaten track.

I've ended up in IT Training for the NHS. Admittedly I'd much rather be doing soft skills training, but it's another string to my bow and the NHS always looks good on the CV.

In summary, it might be a good idea to discuss your thoughts with agencies, it's their job to match peoples' skills and experience with suitable positions and will at the least give you some food for thought.

[Incy]

Cheers guys. I have a meeting today with my outplacement support rep so will discuss some of these ideas with her.
Your input is very much appreciated

[kiwirach]

what about taking your skills and seeing if you could get into the NVQ assessing field with them?. the A1 assessors course only takes a few months, then off you go, assessing all the lil darlings!.

i did this last year....i've nannyed, looked after newborns and taught parents for 25yrs, my then job was coming to an end, and i was asked if i wanted to go down the assessing route, so i gave it a go....they paid for my training and i'm now full time assessing....so i keep all the skills and knowledge i have built up and unlease them on unsuspecting eastern european nannies!!. i'm enjoying it, and after being told the money was rubbish, have since found out that info was wrong, and its actually ok!.

[Incy]

Now that sounds interesting Kiwirach. I hadn't thought of that and I have done a lot of coaching/training in my time.