Changing careers after 45

ETC’s CTA Program helps mature age job seeker change industries

For the past 10 years, Glenda had been working in Hospitality but needed a change. Her jobactive provider referred her to ETC’s Career Transition Assistance (CTA) program for help.

During the 8 week program, she learned about her strengths, resilience, and mindset. She also took part in various team activities and discussions with other mature age job seekers.

Watch Glenda’s story in the video below produced by the Department of Education, Skills and Employment.

Find more CTA Good News Stories from the Department of Education, Skills and Employment.

ETC’s CTA Trainer Anneliese Diaz gave Glenda some career advice and helped her to develop two new Resumes targeted towards different lines of work. This improved her approach, which hadn’t been successful previously.

The program increased her self-confidence by allowing her to see what she was capable of (and think outside the box). Glenda also found that the program helped improve her computer skills.

“I’ve also made new friends, which I love! I felt that I wasn’t alone, there were so many other people within the course like myself and that gave me reassurance that it wasn’t just me feeling the way I was,” Glenda said.

Equipped with her new Resumes and confidence, Glenda was invited to two job interviews and was successful in gaining a temporary position with a Call Centre – which was a change of industry for her and somewhere she could utilise her new skills.

“I was ready for a change and I’m really enjoying it. It’s also opened up my eyes to other types of work that may be out there for me now,” Glenda said.

The new job also changed Glenda’s original assumption that her age was a barrier to gaining employment.

“I thought I was too old to find a new job, especially changing industries! But looking around my place of employment, we have so many people from all ages and walks of life. It’s such a diverse work group, and we all get along like a house on fire.”

Fast forward a few weeks and Glenda’s temporary contract with the Call Centre came to an end.

However, that didn’t get her down as she was quickly snapped up by another employer – working for a Marketing Firm as a Customer Service Verification Officer.

“I now spend my days calling people who have pledged donations to charities such as the Red Cross, Canteen, Careflight etc. My office is in the heart of beautiful Surfers Paradise with views of the high rises and beach. It certainly is a nice change to get a little dressed up to go to work – no more Chef shirts and safety boots for me,” she said.

Glenda thanked ETC for their support in helping her to develop skills, confidence and change careers after 45.

“Anneliese the Trainer is really good at what she does! I’m so grateful for her help. There’s so much negativity in the world and she was so positive,” she said.

“I recommend Career Transition Assistance to anybody – just do it! Don’t let the nerves get the better of you. Take a chance – you never know what’s out there until you step outside of your comfort zone.”

ETC CTA Trainer Anneliese Diaz said it was a pleasure to be a part of Glenda’s journey.

“Glenda was so open to receiving the learnings, and as a result, she has benefited from all that it has to offer. I’ve witnessed a huge improvement in her self-confidence and self-worth, plus she obtained employment. She is very happy now and it doesn’t get more rewarding than that,” Mrs Diaz said.

ETC’s Career Transition Assistance Program Manager Gerard Klinkers said Glenda’s story was the perfect example of how two providers could work together to achieve the same outcome for a job seeker.

“Not only did this achieve a great result for us as a Training provider, but this has also helped TURSA by one of their customers gaining employment,” Mr Klinkers said.

Do you need support changing careers after 45? Here’s some helpful resources and information: