Data shows that mature professionals seek retraining to change careers, earn promotions, and combat ageism

Ageism is still a reality in the Brazilian job market, especially for professionals aged 40 and over. Despite their accumulated experience, many face difficulties in finding new jobs or advancing in their careers. At the same time, there is a growing number of mature workers who are investing in professional retraining as a strategy to remain competitive and keep up with market changes.

A survey by the Dom Cabral Foundation (FDC), conducted in 2024, reveals that 39% of professionals between the ages of 40 and 55 are considering changing careers by 2026. This movement is already reflected in IBGE data: according to the 2023 Continuous National Household Sample Survey (PNAD Contínua), one in five workers over the age of 40 is already working in a new professional field. The market, albeit gradually, is beginning to recognize this potential. The 2024 LinkedIn Opportunity Index points out that 56% of companies say they value the experience of mature professionals in their selection processes.

But to change, you have to step out of your comfort zone. Many professionals over 40 have taken an active and strategic stance in this regard, seeking new qualifications to remain competitive, keep up with market changes, and expand their possibilities for growth or promotion. Professional training courses are key allies in this process, connecting practical experience with new technical knowledge.

Training that transforms

At the Ramacrisna Institute, this reality translates into stories of overcoming adversity, persistence, and new beginnings. In January of this year alone, 141 students are completing vocational courses at the institution, many of them over 40 years old and motivated by the desire to start over or advance their careers.

This is the case of Adnício dos Santos, 46, a student in the Computer Operator course. For him, training represents much more than a technical update. “The course goes beyond the desire to acquire technical knowledge; it is an old dream that I am now able to fulfill. I always wanted to do it, but the difficulties I faced in my youth did not allow it. For me, the course symbolizes a new beginning, a chance to broaden my horizons, keep up with changes in the job market, and prove that it’s never too late to learn, evolve, and dream of a better future,” he says.

For other students, the qualification is a clear strategy for growth within the company itself. Leonardo Bruno, a student in the Industrial Robotics course, sought training in a visionary way. Currently a welder, he noticed the company’s move to acquire new equipment and decided to get ahead of the game. “With this change in the company, I understood that I needed to prepare myself for new opportunities. The course has been a game changer. It’s not easy to work all day and come straight to Ramacrisna, giving up time with my daughter and wife on many occasions, but I know it will be worth it. I am investing in my future,” he says.

According to Fabiano Campos, coordinator of professional courses at the Ramacrisna Institute, professional qualification has an impact that goes far beyond employability. “Vocational courses represent a real life change for many people. For those over 40, they mean regaining self-esteem, professional updating, and new perspectives. We observe that students start the courses feeling insecure and finish them feeling confident, believing in their own potential again. It is a transformation that impacts not only their career but their life as a whole,” he points out.