As a single parent with two young children, I decided the best way to get back into education was to do an access course. I contacted Cardiff Women’s Workshop and enrolled on the Communications and Network course. From there, I moved into IT and found work straightaway. That decision changed my life and set me on the path to retrain as an IT consultant.

The UK tech sector is one of the largest in Europe and digital skills are in demand across every region. Women remain under-represented in technical roles, yet many employers are actively trying to recruit more women into IT. My experience shows that with the right training and support, a flexible and well-paid career in technology is absolutely possible. For a wider picture of women in the workplace, see our Women in Business: Key UK Facts page.

Why I chose an access course

After several years out of the workplace, my confidence had taken a knock. I needed a route back that fitted around school runs, childcare and a tight household budget. An access course gave me a recognised qualification without the cost or time commitment of a full degree, and it was designed specifically for adults returning to education.

In the UK, access to higher education courses are widely available through colleges and adult learning providers, and many are free or heavily subsidised depending on your income, location and previous qualifications. In England, the government’s Skills Bootcamps offer free, flexible courses of up to 16 weeks in digital skills such as cyber security, software development and data analysis. In Wales, programmes such as Personal Learning Accounts and ReAct+ funding can help employed people, as well as those who are unemployed or at risk of redundancy, retrain in priority sectors including digital. Similar funding options exist across Scotland and Northern Ireland, so it is worth checking what is available in your area. If you are weighing a later-life switch, our Career Change at 40: A Practical Guide for Women has more guidance.

The course was great. I gained masses of confidence simply by doing something that made me use my brain again. Everything was a challenge: I learnt how to fix computers, troubleshoot networks and get to grips with how hardware and software work together. For anyone wondering whether they are “too old” or “not technical enough” to move into IT, my answer is that you are almost certainly more capable than you think.

Work experience and building employability

The two months’ work experience I did as part of my course also helped me gain confidence. I felt comfortable in the work environment and able to deal with whatever was thrown at me. It also gave me something crucial for my CV: recent, relevant experience in a real business.

For women returning after a career break, practical exposure can be as valuable as the qualification itself. Many colleges, adult education providers and business support organisations now offer placements, internships or project-based experience alongside technical training. If you are switching sectors, look for courses that include a work placement, portfolio project or employer networking element. Our Career Returner Women UK: How to Restart in 2026 guide covers more routes back.

Do not underestimate the soft skills you already have. Managing a household budget, negotiating with schools and healthcare professionals, and juggling competing priorities all translate into project management, communication and problem-solving abilities that employers value.

Life as an IT consultant

My job is great, because no two days are the same. One day I might be diagnosing network issues, the next advising a small business on its cloud setup or cybersecurity basics. The financial security is important too: digital skills are in demand across every industry, so I feel that I will have work for as long as I want it.

My company is also very flexible, which fits in with all my family arrangements. Because it is IT, I can work from home once the children have gone to bed. Since April 2024, employees in England, Scotland and Wales have had a day-one right to request flexible working under the Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Act 2023, and many tech roles now offer hybrid contracts, compressed hours, part-time contracts or freelance project work. That makes technology an especially attractive field for mothers, carers and anyone who needs control over their working pattern. For the latest rules, read our Flexible Working Rights UK 2026: What Women Need to Know guide.

Continuous learning and career progression

It is a constant learning process and I am always gaining new skills to solve the various problems that come my way. Technology moves quickly, so staying curious is part of the job. I have since added certifications in areas that interest me, and I make use of free and low-cost resources to keep my knowledge up to date.

I am in a great position because I have expertise, skills and job security. But the biggest change is internal: I now trust my own ability to learn, adapt and earn. That shift in mindset has been just as important as any technical qualification.

Practical steps to retrain as an IT consultant

• Start with a skills audit. Free tools such as the National Careers Service Skills Health Check can help you identify transferable strengths.
• Explore access courses, apprenticeships, bootcamps and part-time degrees. Funding rules vary across the UK, so check what is available where you live.
• Look for programmes that include work experience, mentorship or employer introductions.
• Build a simple portfolio of small projects, even if they are repairs you have done for friends or a website you have set up for a local group.
• Connect with women in tech networks, returnship programmes and local enterprise hubs for peer support and opportunities.
• Be open to entry-level or support roles first; they can be a fast route into more specialist consulting positions.

If you are a single parent or returning after time away from work, the decision to retrain as an IT consultant can feel like a huge step. But the UK needs more women in digital roles, and the routes in are more varied than ever. My journey from access course to IT consultant proves that with determination, support and the right training, a new career is within reach.