It's never 'too late' to up-skill or re-train, says Norfolk student
57% per cent of adults in the UK say they feel 'too old' to learn new skills, according to new research
Last updated 25th Sep 2025
A local student says people should never think it's too late to up-skill or re-train, in something.
Research shows that nearly 40% of adults in the East have lost confidence in learning something new.
"Decide what you want to get out of the course you're doing"
Keiran Hall from Norwich recently took on an apprenticeship in Network Engineering:
He has this advice for those looking to take a similar path:
"Do your research and decide what you want to get out of the course you're doing. So for me, I knew that I didn't want to do Uni at the time, but I did know that I wanted to a job or apprenticeship at the time.
"So doing a T-level that had work experience, was the route I personally knew I wanted to go down.
"During all this I learnt a lot of soft-skills, like communication and teamwork through the work-placement side of things, but then I also learnt a lot of that in the classroom as well.
"Thanks to all of that, I was able to apply all of that once I got a job as an apprentice".
The research in more detail:
The study of 3,000 adults across England, conducted by the Department for Education's Skills for Life campaign, found that career confidence peaks at just 25 years old for those in the East of England, with one in two (49%) admitting they've lost the sense of "endless possibilities" they felt when younger.
Nationally, the research identifies three obstacles preventing adults from pursuing further professional development at this stage in their career:
-57% feel they are "too old" to learn new skills
-47% lack the motivation to begin upskilling
3-2% feel overwhelmed when they try to learn something new
The findings suggest that whilst confidence is a concern across generations, there is interest and appetite to explore and overcome these worries.
Nearly half (45%) of adults in the East of England said discovering a course or topic that genuinely inspires them would restore their confidence, while 29% remain curious about their untapped potential.
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Professor Steve Peters, psychiatrist, commented, "Often psychological barriers, such as feeling unsupported, incorrect self-perception, or past experience, can prevent us from embarking on new learning opportunities and pathways in life.
"Finding and removing these barriers can unleash your true potential. Even more importantly, developing a positive mindset and creating opportunities can bring success and self-fulfilment. A change of mindset is always an option for everybody.”
At a national level, for teenagers at a different stage of life, 38% express excitement about their future career prospects, however of the 1,0001 14-19 year olds surveyed, this optimism is tempered by some nervousness in choosing the right next step for them.
41% worried about committing to a path and making the "wrong choice." Additionally, 58% wish their parents or guardians were more supportive of exploring different skills and education pathways with them.
For teens, learning in a way that suits them (43%) and having the flexibility to explore different paths and change direction if needed (37%) would help them feel more confident about the road ahead.
Kieran Hall, 21, from Norfolk is a Network Engineering apprentice. He says:
“Making decisions about your next steps for education and training can feel really daunting and you can worry about making the wrong choice. But there isn’t a wrong choice, as long as something feels like the right fit for you, then that’s it.
"The most important thing is to follow the path that ignites your passions and there are countless routes available now like T Levels, apprenticeships and Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs).
!They’re more than just qualifications, they’re powerful tools to unlock your unique talents, passions – your superpowers!
“Choosing the apprenticeship route was one of the best decisions I’ve made. It meant I could immediately put my learning into practice while earning a salary—essentially getting paid to build skills in something I’m passionate about.
"I did my T Level placement with the IT team at Broad Horizons Education Trust, and that actually opened the door to a Level 4 Network Engineering apprenticeship.
"The hands-on experience I gained really boosted my confidence and is the reason I’m now studying Computing Science at the University of East Anglia.”
Despite some barriers, many adults in the East of England do recognise some of their existing strengths.
The research shows people feel most confident in their teamwork (37%), problem-solving (37%) and communication (36%) abilities.
However, there's a clear appetite for growth in emerging areas, with digital or tech skills (35%), numeracy and finance (23%), and critical thinking or analysis (20%) topping the list of skills people want to develop.