Starting a new job and switching careers later in life can be extremely rewarding. You have greater freedom to pursue work that aligns with your personal values, strengths, and gives a stronger sense of fulfilment.
If you’re ready to make more of an impact in your local area, then the list below should be of use. Also, if you’re sick of the 9-5 or other rigid structures in conventional careers, a franchise could be the perfect opportunity to work for yourself at an older age.
Why change jobs towards the end of your career?
If you’re someone who has stayed in the same job or career for many years, it might seem strange to consider starting something new just before retirement. But at the same time, you might recognise that your current line of work has become draining. Switching careers might seem intimidating, but it can actually be relatively straightforward if you have a lot of transferable skills.
Yes, you may have to take an initial pay cut, but a new career can also lead to higher earning potential. Better pay is often the main factor in people switching jobs, leading to the growth of job-hopping. Other incentives can include greater fulfilment and job satisfaction, less stressful work, better work/life balance, and more convenient commuting.
Greg, Ovenu Andover, described the decision as a “leap of faith after 40 plus years in the hospitality industry”. He feels that the level of control afforded through becoming a franchisee is “very rewarding and satisfying”.
Fulfilling jobs after retirement UK
Where most people view retirement as the time to wind down, others are looking forward to it as a time where they have the security to pursue work they’re truly passionate about. Research on career change statistics has found that 27% of people do so for improved job satisfaction, and a further 24% do so to secure better work-life balance.
Tutoring
Whether it relates to your previous industry or you teach a completely new subject, becoming a tutor can be hugely rewarding. If you are tutoring or mentoring in your career field, it can be a great reminder of all the industry experience you’ve gained. Where you might have been feeling burnt out before, tutoring allows you to repurpose your knowledge to inspire others.
Tutoring can also be highly flexible for retirees. Private mentoring and tutoring can be done from public spaces, the home, or even online to save on travel.
Tradesperson
Many people feel the need to change careers due to feeling stuck in repetitive, desk-based jobs without any tangible ways to measure success. If this is the case, a great option could be to reskill as an electrician, plumber, painter, decorator, roofer, or other kind of tradesperson.
These lines of work are constantly in high demand from homeowners and businesses, so you don’t have to worry too much about finding work. If you’re planning on going down this route, the Government’s Competent Person Scheme can help you self-certify as compliant with Building Regulations for greater credibility.
Healthcare
Although there is a great deal of studying that comes with a medical qualification, the work is undoubtedly very rewarding, and many people start a career in medicine for the satisfaction of helping others. Whether you’re a nurse, a carer, or a GP receptionist, you can make a positive impact on people’s lives. Many healthcare environments value life experience, especially in patient-facing roles, and there are well-established paths you can take to gain any missing skills.
Healthcare staff are always in demand in England and the UK. Data from the British Medical Association (BMA) has found that while the NHS medical workforce is growing, it is doing so at a rate that lags behind the increasing demand for care services.
Web Developer
Web development has gained a reputation as a career for young tech-savvy people, but this simply isn’t the case. With accessible bootcamps and online training, motivated career-changers can learn to build websites, apps, and digital tools in no time. It’s ideal for those who enjoy solving problems, working independently, and constantly learning. Other benefits of this industry include remote working, along with a strong demand.
Gardener
Many people take up gardening as a hands-on hobby that grants peace and rewarding work. You can choose to work in local residential gardens or get involved in maintaining and landscaping larger estates and business premises. It also serves as a way to get outdoors and connect with nature.
Gardening remains relatively physical, so it’s also useful for people who want to keep active but were perhaps struggling to find time around their day job. Although, as you get older, you might have to cut back on hours to protect your physical health.
Software Engineering
Becoming a software engineer is a rewarding career for anyone who enjoys building systems that solve a problem. It requires focus, precision, and the ability to break problems into parts, skills that many people develop over time in other industries. With many online learning paths and strong salaries, it’s a career that offers long-term security and fulfilment as you move into retirement.
Designer
Whether it’s graphic design, UX/UI, or branding, design work is a great blend of creativity and problem-solving. This is an ideal career option for anyone who has a passion for art or fashion but has never tried making money out of it. Design work also has relatively few barriers to entry beyond creating a portfolio, and there are freelance, agency, or remote positions.
Consulting
After decades of experience, consulting allows you to turn knowledge into income by helping others succeed. Whether it’s business strategy, HR, finance, or operations, consultants guide clients using skills they’ve mastered over time. It’s flexible, autonomous, and ideal for those who want to keep working on their own terms, without going back to a 9-to-5 structure. If you’re finding your current career stressful, consulting lets you take a step back from the work while still being involved in the industry.
Law
There are many ways you can go with a law qualification, from solicitor and barrister to a paralegal or compliance specialist. In many cases, you will be required to complete a formal qualification. However, it’s never too late to go back to school, and you might be able to complete your studies remotely. Practising law can be hugely fulfilling, as you’re playing a vital role in upholding justice and (hopefully) making the world a safer place.
Writing & Marketing
When you’ve been working in the same industry for decades, you gain valuable insights that can be used to direct marketing strategy. This could be knowledge around products, supply chains, industry trends, or customer behaviours.
Nowadays, all marketing work can be done from the comfort of your own home with a laptop as the only required equipment. If you enjoy being creative and have strong communication skills, changing to a marketing career shouldn’t be too much effort.
Cleaner
Cleaning is an honest, hands-on career with low barriers to entry and immediate income potential. It can be incredibly fulfilling for those who enjoy routine, order, and making spaces feel refreshed. It’s also not surprising that many older cleaners go on to become small cleaning business owners, as this gives them complete control over how and when they work.
A report by the British Cleaning Council shows a rising number of people employed in the cleaning, hygiene, and waste industry between 2015-2022, with the largest number being in the 45-54 age demographic.
Professional Oven Cleaning
A good percentage of our franchisees joined Ovenu after spending decades working in a career which was no longer driving them. For many of them, oven cleaning also wasn’t something they’d considered. Nevertheless, it stood out as a straightforward option for people who wanted to connect with those in their local community and operate on a flexible working schedule.
Chris Gilmore, Ovenu Suffolk South, “I spent a lot of time researching different franchises before deciding on oven cleaning.”
Hear from our other franchisees about the improved work/life balance they experienced with Ovenu:
Retail
Customer service retail roles can be very fulfilling for those who like dealing with people and keeping busy. Satisfaction can be found in being a part of someone’s everyday experience, as well as if you’re selling goods that align with your values. For instance, sustainably produced food and drinks. While you’ll often have to take a pay cut to enter retail from a long-standing career in another industry, progression to supervisor and manager positions can be quick.
Charitable Work
Working for a charity or nonprofit organisation that aligns with your core values can be one of the most fulfilling career changes. Instead of being focused on providing services and making sales for money, you’ll instead be working towards a cause you value.
Volunteer opportunities can also be a quick way to gain new skills, which in turn can be used to change careers again in future. Plus, as positions are often unpaid, they usually have lower barriers to entry.
Join a Franchise
If you’re in your 50s or 60s with decades of experience under your belt, it can be a massive task to distill all of this into a CV. It can also be disheartening if you find you still need to complete training to pursue the career you want to move into. For these reasons alone, people can feel like starting their own business venture is a quicker and more straightforward way to enter into the career they want.
Starting a business can still be intimidating, even for more experienced workers. That’s why when you’re deciding between a franchise or independent start, you should consider the support that’s available. When you join a franchise, you don’t need to tackle everything on your own and professional support is readily available to shore up any gaps in knowledge. This can include anything from basic training and equipment to ongoing marketing and financial management.
Ovenu Franchise Support
Our franchise package has been refined over more than 30 years of business operations and is designed to provide Ovenu operatives with everything they need to run their own successful business. Features and support include:
- Exclusive trading territory that has been researched to provide strong business opportunities. We consider information relating to property types, income levels, and age demographics.
- Bespoke eco-friendly cleaning products and branding for your vehicle and equipment.
- National and local marketing efforts across social media, websites, and promotional material.
- Tailored business plan built on the back of the proven Ovenu model. This covers guidance on the quality of service, target clients, using automated management systems, and how to create financial forecasts.
- Ongoing support from a knowledgeable team who are on hand to answer all technical and training-based queries. Our network of franchisees is also a well of practical advice, both for discussion and resources.
Set yourself up for retirement with Ovenu
Whatever your reasons for changing careers, there’s a host of options available. Many people don’t realise the value of the skills they’ve gained throughout their working life, and how these skills can apply to new career paths. Oftentimes, all you need is a little training and support to secure a fulfilling new direction to last well into retirement.
It’s never too late to start your own business venture, and with the help of Ovenu, you can build a fulfilling operation that provides an ideal work/life balance. If you have any questions about getting started, pension contributions, or what owning your own franchise business looks like day-to-day, simply get in touch.