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Feeling stagnant in your current job? It might be time for a change. Whether you have hit a wall in terms of advancement at your current company, had to deal with redundancies, or simply want to explore a new field altogether, changing careers could be the best way to find a job you truly love. But deciding which career is right for you and where to start your training can be overwhelming.
To help you navigate this process, here are 15 career-related courses that can assist you in changing occupations:
1. Administrative, secretarial, and PA courses
If you have a knack for organizing things, consider pursuing administrative, secretarial, and personal assistant courses. These courses cover a range of skills, from office administration to personal assistant tasks. You can also obtain professional certifications in Microsoft Office, Oracle, and other technologies. Potential job titles include administrative assistant, receptionist, executive PA, data entry clerk, and administrator.
2. Accounting and financial courses
For those who excel at managing finances, accounting and financial courses could be a good fit. Whether you want to become a certified accountant or specialize in tax, finance, or risk management, there are courses available to enhance your employability in this lucrative industry. Job opportunities include accountant, actuary, financial advisor, bookkeeper, analyst, investment banker, auditor, and stockbroker.
3. Sports and Fitness Course
If you love working out, consider pursuing sports and fitness courses. These courses can prepare you for careers as a personal trainer, fitness instructor, or yoga instructor. You can also gain knowledge in nutrition, sports science, and massage therapy. Possible job roles include personal trainer, PE teacher, dietician, nutritionist, lifeguard, massage therapist, physiotherapist, and yoga instructor.
4. Health and Safety Course
Those who are safety-conscious and enjoy enforcing rules may find health and safety courses appealing. These courses cover topics such as accident investigation, risk assessment, COSHH, and first aid. You can also specialize in areas like asbestos awareness or earn a NEBOSH certificate, a prestigious health and safety qualification in the UK. Potential job titles include health and safety officer, firefighter, environmental health practitioner, cleaner, maintenance engineer, and warehouse operative.
5. Construction Course
If you have a passion for building and construction, consider pursuing courses in bricklaying, joinery, plumbing, carpentry, quantity surveying, or real estate. NVQs and City & Guilds qualifications are highly valued in this industry. Job opportunities include bricklayer, architect, joiner, plumber, carpenter, quantity surveyor, construction manager, and laborer.
6. IT Course
For those who are tech-savvy and enjoy coding, IT courses can lead to careers in web development, software development, technical support, devops engineering, network administration, game testing, or web design. Certifications in fields like Cisco, CompTIA, and coding languages like Python and Javascript can help you stand out to potential employers.
7. Marketing Course
If you enjoy the world of advertising and promotions, consider pursuing marketing courses. Specialize in areas like email marketing, content marketing, SEO, social media, or digital marketing. You can also pursue certifications from professional organizations like the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM). Possible job roles include marketing executive, copywriter, marketing manager, marketing analyst, content creator, SEO specialist, and social media coordinator.
8. Language Course
For those interested in learning new languages, there are a variety of courses available, covering languages like Japanese, Spanish, French, Italian, and more. You can also learn sign language or earn qualifications in teaching English as a foreign language through TESOL or ESOL courses. Job opportunities include translator, interpreter, flight attendant, teacher, international relationship manager, private tutor, and aid worker.
9. Project Management Training
If you excel at meeting deadlines and managing tasks, consider pursuing project management training. PRINCE2® certifications are globally recognized as a standard for project management competency. Six Sigma and Agile courses can also help you gain essential project management skills. Job roles may include project manager, operations manager, team leader, scrum master, product owner, or site manager.
10. Human Resources (HR) Course
For those who enjoy working with people, consider pursuing HR courses. Specialize in areas like HR management, employment law, learning and development, or recruiting. Certifications from organizations like the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) can enhance your credentials. Job opportunities include HR officer, HR assistant, HR manager, HR business partner, recruitment manager, training officer, and learning and development coordinator.
11. Health and Care Course
If you have a passion for helping others and saving lives, consider pursuing health and care courses. These courses cover a range of topics, including nursing, social care, paramedic training, dental hygiene, and more. Possible job titles include healthcare assistant, nurse, paramedic, health visitor, care worker, dental nurse, youth worker, social worker, midwife, and pharmacy assistant.
12. Teaching Course
For those who enjoy working with children and shaping young minds, consider pursuing teaching courses. While a degree and PGCE are required to become a qualified primary or secondary school teacher, there are shorter courses available for those interested in becoming teaching assistants, childminders, or nursery nurses. Job opportunities include teacher, special education teacher, private tutor, nanny, childminder, teaching assistant, nursery teacher, or nursery nurse.
13. Business Course
If you have a passion for entrepreneurship and business, consider pursuing business courses. Specialize in areas like business development, business management, or business administration. Professional certifications from organizations like the British Computer Society (BCS) and PRINCE2® can enhance your skills and credentials. Pursuing an MBA can also help you gain specialized business knowledge and increase your earning potential. Job opportunities include business analyst, development manager, entrepreneur, CEO, business advisor, and project manager.
14. Animal Care Course
For those who love animals and want to work in a caring profession, consider pursuing animal care courses. These courses cover topics like animal nutrition, dog grooming, horse care, zoology, and pet psychology. You can also specialize in veterinary nursing and support, which would qualify you to work alongside veterinarians. Job opportunities include veterinary assistant, dog groomer, dog walker, dog trainer, zoologist, animal nutritionist, and veterinary nurse.
15. Engineering Course
If you have a passion for building and creating, consider pursuing engineering courses. Engineering disciplines include aerospace engineering, civil engineering, systems engineering, mechanical engineering, and more. While a degree is typically required for employment, CPD courses can help with professional development. If you already have a degree in an unrelated field, a conversion course can help you specialize your skills further. Job opportunities include civil engineer, mechanical engineer, maintenance engineer, aeronautical engineer, petroleum engineer, structural engineer, and pipeline engineer.
Changing careers can be a daunting but rewarding experience. By pursuing the right courses and acquiring the necessary qualifications, you can successfully transition into a new and fulfilling career path. Take the first step towards your future today and explore the numerous courses available to help you achieve your career change goals.
