Career crossroads? 60% of professionals in the West Midlands have faced a work turning point
New research commissioned by the Department for Education’s Teach in Further Education campaign reveals 6 in 10 employed adults in the West Midlands have faced a crossroad in their career – a moment of uncertainty or desire for major change in their working life. But far from being a setback, many say it led to a renewed sense of purpose and direction.
The study found 60% of working adults in the West Midlands have been at a career crossroad, with 28% saying it’s happened more than once. The top motivations driving career pivots are an increased desire for: purpose and fulfilment (39%), flexibility and autonomy (42%) and an opportunity to use existing skills in a new way (34%).
The findings highlight the potential for positive transformation. 78% of people in the West Midlands said reaching a career crossroad can help people realise what they really want from work, and 76% believe it can lead to a job better suited to their skills, aspirations, family life or community culture.
When asked what would help refresh their career, 34% of respondents in the West Midlands said learning new skills, followed by using existing skills in a new way (29%) and working in a new environment (36%). A fifth (19 %) said they would retrain or upskill if facing a career crossroad.
Dion Dublin, former pro footballer and now TV presenter had a career renaissance of his own. Dion is calling on workers seeking more purpose, fulfilment and new ways to use their skills to explore teaching in Further Education (FE).
FE is education for learners aged 16 and over who aren’t in school or studying for a degree. In settings such as colleges, FE offers diverse teaching opportunities across a range of technical, vocational and academic subjects to help prepare learners for work in their chosen field. In what is often a college-based setting, FE offers diverse teaching opportunities from hands-on workshops to classroom-based learning.
Dion said, “When I hung up my boots, I found myself at a career crossroad – it was like being in extra time with no clear game plan. Reaching moments like this in your career are more common than we think – and they can be the start of something incredibly rewarding. Teaching in further education allows people to bring their real-world experience into the classroom, inspire the next generation, and find renewed purpose in their work. It’s a path that offers both stability and the chance to grow. If you are looking for a purpose filled career – FE teaching could be your next big match.”
One FE teacher who has gone on this journey is Sarah Davies, a former midwife from Telford, who moved into FE teaching and is now part of an executive leadership team at Telford College.
Sarah said, “Working as a midwife was a huge part of my identity, so transitioning to teaching in FE wasn’t easy for me. However, when I found myself at a crossroad in my career, I realised I wanted to make a difference in a new way.
I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I quickly realised that the skills I’d built - supporting people through life-changing moments - were just as valuable in FE teaching. Empathy, communication, and staying calm under pressure has helped me connect with learners and support them as they work towards their goals.
Teaching in FE has opened doors I never imagined and sparked a real renaissance in my career. From the everyday rewards of working with students to progressing into a senior leadership role, it’s been an incredible journey. I’ve always wanted to make a difference – that’s what it’s always been about for me.
If you’re looking for a new sense of purpose in your career, now is the perfect time to make the move - support for industry professionals pivoting into FE teaching has never been stronger, and your skills are needed more than ever.”
Additionally, Rosa Wells, a former aeronautical engineer who transitioned into FE teaching 20 years ago and is now FE Principal at University College Birmingham, reflects: “After six years in the aerospace industry, I found myself at a crossroad in my career. I missed the human connection. One of my colleagues suggested I look into further education teaching and something clicked. I didn’t have a teaching qualification, but my industry background was exactly what the college was looking for.
From the moment I started teaching in FE, I knew I’d found my calling - making engineering accessible and inspiring for learners. I genuinely love working in FE, offering students the hands-on experience they need to thrive in the workplace. In this field, you don’t just teach - you help shape futures. I’ve seen students grow in confidence, improve their communication, and develop real-world problem-solving skills.
Transitioning into Further Education completely reshaped my professional path. I made the leap, and two decades later, I’ve never looked back.”
To find out more about how you could share your existing industry skills by teaching in further education and the next steps to take, visit gov.uk/teach-in-further-education.
