By Dan Roan BBC 2's Working Lunch

It wasn't that long ago that jobs tended to be for life, and changes of direction were rare.

But today's work environment is a much more flexible place, there are large shortages in certain sectors, and help is at hand for those seeking a new start.

In short, it's never been easier to completely change what you do for a living.

Daunting

At the College of North-East London, over half of the 100 people who enroll each year on the plumbing course at the Building Services School have come from completely different careers.

For many, the prospect of leaving one's job, retraining and starting a new career afresh is a daunting one.

But all the students here are adamant that it can be done.

"I did think, here I go into bloke land, but not a bit of it," says Amanda Hicks, a 38 year-old former public relations consultant.

"I was encouraged and taken seriously. I've no regrets, and I'm very happy and I hope it continues."

I was encouraged and taken seriously Trainee plumber Amanda Hicks

"We've got a wide variety of people who tend to change careers and decide plumbing is for them," says Mick Palmer, who runs the course at the College.

"I enjoy seeing people from wide backgrounds.

"We've got students here who have been casino croupiers, through to postmen and taxi-drivers.

"All of them will have skills that are useful in the building services industry."

Critical shortage

The critical shortage of plumbers in this country is well-documented.

It's estimated there's a shortfall of some 30,000.

But it raises a crucial point; if you're considering a new career be aware of those sectors in which employers are struggling to fill jobs.

The driving, construction and IT industriers all currently need new recruits.

Furthermore, consider potential earnings.

Because of the national shortage of plumbers for example, a qualified graduate of the course can expect to earn well above �35,000 a year, and a lot more in London.

Some of the plumbers who pass through the College are able to charge an astonishing �90/hour in central London.

Success

Allan Alexander is 32, and was made redundant from the Post Office and decided to retrain as a plumber at the college.

He's now gone into business and things are going well.

"I've got absolutely no regrets," he says.

"It's one of the best things I've ever done.

I've worked as a postman and in printing for several years before this, but as a plumber, business is fantastic.

"There's just so much work out there, they need qualified people."

Financing your retraining

The plumbing course at the College of North East London here costs each student around �500 a year, and that brings us to the matter of finance.

A new career will almost always require training or education which can be expensive; so exactly what arre the options?

Career development loans are currently offered by just 3 banks, Barclays, RBS, and the Co-operative

They're designed to fund vocational courses of no more than two years in length, and have repayment 'holidays' for the duration of your studies.

You can borrow anything between �300 and �8,000, and the Government pays the interest on your loan while you're learning

You then repay the loan to the bank over an agreed period at a fixed rate of interest soon after your course is completed.

They're not for everyone however, so do your research first.

Also, the rates of interest vary between the banks, and depending on how much you borrow so check each one out thoroughly.

Other options

There are other options; if you want to study for a professional qualification some banks do offer specific Further Education loans.

If you're on a low income, always check with the college as many have learner support funds to help you..

They often offer financial assistance to people who apply.

People who have done one job for a lengthy period of time often assume that a career-change is beyond them.

But it needn't be.

Go for it

"In terms of age groups, 40 or older is easily a time when people can change careers and learn new skills," says Ruth Hounslow of Manpower, one of the UK's leading recruitment agencies.

"There are a variety of vacancies for which they can go."