Changing career or sector

I am currently developing a portfolio career involving education in museums, teaching (I worked full time as a teacher for 6 years) and working in other areas of the heritage sector. It is very challenging to change career, as several other people have mentioned it is very difficult to get other sectors to recognise transferable skills and there is a massive lack of entry level positions, both in the private and public sector. Volunteering is still pushed as the way to gain entry to a new sector but many can not afford to work for free and exploitation is rife. For those who are retired and looking to find new ways of filling their time, that is different. The abuse of volunteering as a means to get younger, unpaid workers, however needs to be stopped. Even if you are new to a sector, there are skills you have to offer that at least warrant the minimum wage.

I did various jobs before I got stuck trying to leave teaching which I have been doing for past 12 years - and am now burnt out. I re-trained but at my age I cannot afford to go into my chosen new sector at entry-level. age is not on my side. Teaching traps you. It is relatively well paid but once a teacher it seems that's all you can do. No one is interested in transfereable skills or experience. I am desperate not to go back into teaching but have now used up all my savings and have to get work. I am working for free and doing very low paid casual work to get experience in the field I want to move into, but I can't make ends meet. I have a degree and in theory should be in a safe middle class job. but life is no longer like that. My pension will be minimal and I will have to work for as long as I am healthy and so I want to be happy in my work, which is why I am making such an effort to change careers. But it's like climbing a verical wall with bare hands.