How to Retrain For In-Demand Job Roles
If you are looking for a career change, there has never been a better time to consider it. Largely because of skills shortages since Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic, many job roles in the UK are in high demand and are actively recruiting new staff to replace those who have left.
The “great resignation” of 2021/2022 saw up to 5% of all workers in the UK move from their current jobs, taking the skills they have built up with them. This has left many companies with staffing shortages and company-wide skills gaps needing to be filled and this is creating new opportunities for people who are looking for a career change.
In-Demand Job Roles
With employers increasingly desperate to find people to fill their vacancies, employees are finding that they have the upper hand in the jobs market and can ask for better pay and conditions than ever before. This is particularly true in job roles that really need workers quickly, such as some of the more seasonally busy ones.
Hospitality
The hospitality industry comprises accommodation and food services and encompasses many jobs, ranging from hotel managers to wait staff, cleaners and chefs. The industry is relatively seasonal, and they often need to boost staff numbers for specific busy periods of the year, such as the Summer or Christmas, depending on where they are located in the UK.
If you are interested in working in the hospitality sector, the Choose Hospitality website can help you to find suitable roles in your local area. It is rare to need a University degree in this sector, and you should be able to get by on your skills rather than formal qualifications for most roles.
Having said that, if you should decide you would like a formal qualification, it is possible to study for one for free, provided that you don’t already have a level three qualification. There are many different courses to choose from, and most can be accessed at your local further education college.
The Institute of Hospitality also offers a range of internet-based courses for a very reasonable fee of only £25, if you would like to learn more about the specifics of Wine Service or Coffee Service before making a larger commitment.
Prison Officer
Becoming a prison officer can be a hard, physical role which requires excellent situational awareness and therefore isn’t that well suited for those who have any sight or auditory problems. It is vital for safety when working with Category A prisoners that you can see and hear up to a certain level and meet the required fitness level. You also have to have been a UK resident for the last three years to apply. You will be expected to take a quick literacy ad numeracy test but as long as these are successful and your health assessments are up to scratch, you should stand a good chance of finding a job in this sector.
Even though there are stringent health requirements for becoming a prison officer, the academic side of things is much more relaxed, with no formal qualifications being needed in order to start your move into this new career. Extensive training will be given on how to deal with any physical restraint that is needed, as well as how to deal with certain situations that may arise as part of your work.
Starting salaries for a prison officer can be anywhere from £22,000 to £30,000pa, which is excellent given the lack of formal qualifications required for the role.
HGV Driver
There are major shortages in the provision of Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) drivers in the UK at present, and some estimates are that there are between 70,000 and 100,000 fewer of this category of drivers than we need in the UK.
This is causing major supply chain problems as businesses struggle to promptly move their goods around the country. Because of this completely unprecedented level of demand, the average wage for HGV drivers increased by 25% between 2021 and 2022. Due to the shortages and increases, some HGV drivers are now taking home up to £60,000 per year.
If you are looking to work really hard for a few years and earn some money that you won’t have a lot of time to spend, then HGV driving could be for you. You must have been driving for at least a year before training to drive HGVs. You will need to gain a special type of license which can be costly, but many companies will help you to obtain one and perhaps even pay the fee.
A medical is also a necessity before you will be allowed behind the wheel. This makes perfect sense as you will be in charge of an enormous vehicle, so your GP will check your heart and other bodily functions for any abnormalities that may render you a danger to others on the road.
Become a Nurse
The National Health Service (NHS) has been under enormous strain since Brexit saw many nurses and doctors leave the UK and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, where medical staff were the front line. Many people have left the profession, so staffing numbers are down. This is causing real problems and patients are bearing the brunt of this.
In light of this, it is the perfect time to consider joining the NHS. There is going to be an influx of new nurses over the next few years and it is an excellent chance to put your skills to the test either by taking a degree in nursing or by becoming a nursing associate through an apprenticeship provider.
Whichever route you take, being a nurse can be a very rewarding career for those who enjoy helping other people and if that is what makes you happy then you have picked a winner with this particular career chance. Nurses are the backbone of our NHS and they keep it running smoothly. If you value the NHS and the care that it provides, you could be perfectly suited to the role.
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