UNISON learning rep Hazel Kjebekk used to tell herself that approaching the age of 60 made her too old to start something new – until she undertook a mid-life career review.

When UNISON learning rep Hazel Kjebekk sat down with unionlearn National Projects Officer Jane Warwick for her mid-life career review three years ago, she didn’t think the interview would make much difference. With her sixtieth birthday on the horizon, she was pretty firmly convinced that she would still be working as a phlebotomist at South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust until she retired.

She had too many reservations about her age and her skills to change direction before then. How things can shift when you start learning. Now, Hazel has not only completed leadership and teaching qualifications, but she is also in the late stages of a yoga course that will give her the skills, strength and stamina to teach her colleagues at work, fulfilling a long held dream she used to believe would never become reality.

Hazel’s career review was conducted as part of unionlearn’s Supporting Mid-life Development agenda, which aims to help people take stock of where they are now and plan for what they want to achieve in their working and personal lives. 

Reviews are designed to support people who want to stay at work longer or change career and are tailored to an individual’s life, goals, and aspirations. As a result of examining all her options with Jane, Hazel decided to enrol on a Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management, which she completed in 18 months. 

Hazel explained:

I left school before I was 15 with no qualifications, so it was hard work, particularly referencing and critical writing. But I stuck with it through blood, sweat and tears – it was a big achievement and I am really pleased."

The diploma has proved most useful to Hazel on the three days a week she spends on secondment to the Bridges to Learning project, the partnership between UNISON, the Open University (OU) and Workers’ Educational Association (WEA) that helps low-paid public sector workers progress at work. 

Having caught the learning bug, Hazel decided to take on further study and went on to complete the Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector (PTLLS) qualification – another boost to her work with colleagues. 

Then, on the back of both those successes, Hazel realised that she might have been wrong when she originally told Jane that her yoga teaching dream was not achievable at the age she was. 

She is now close to completing a blended learning course in Hatha yoga, which includes units in physical exercise as well as health and safety and safeguarding clients – all of which will set her up to start teaching her colleagues at work. Although she is one of the older students on the course, Hazel has drawn nothing but admiration from the younger trainees, including dancers and fitness teachers, who have been inspired to meet a grandmother of six who still has a passion for learning.

When she has finished the course, Hazel plans to extend her practice with advances in other forms of yoga and will teach a basic yoga class for people to drop into after work.

Hazel said:

I have learned a lot: I would never have dreamed I would have done so much – I am so proud."

Hazel also says the course will help her stay active and continue to earn once she retires from the NHS. She couldn’t have progressed to where she is today without that mid-life review session. 

Hazel said:

Talking to Jane helped put it all together: older people have something to offer – loyalty and life experience – the value of older people is immense."

Hazel’s story is a perfect example of how it’s never too late to try something new, says Jane Warwick.

Mid-life Development Reviews give individuals the opportunity to talk about what’s important to them as well as plan for the future.

Like Hazel, if you can learn about a hobby or area of interest, it makes the learning journey that bit more enjoyable."

This story first appeared in The Learning Rep Spring 2017 which can be accessed at https://www.unionlearn.org.uk/publications/learning-rep-spring-2017-edition