Never too late to learn: Hampshire woman takes on funeral care apprenticeship aged 64

A Hampshire woman is proving that learning has no age limit after taking on a funeral care apprenticeship aged 64, challenging the misconception that apprenticeships are just for those starting out their careers.

Kim Smith, who works as a funeral and memorial consultant at Co-operative Funeralcare in Bishop’s Waltham, is working towards a Level 2 Funeral Team Member qualification through HSDC College Group.

Having previously worked in sales and marketing, Kim was drawn to funeral care by a desire to make a meaningful difference and support families during some of life’s most difficult moments.

“I wanted to give back to the community and do something rewarding, where I could help people when they need it most,” Kim explained.

“Having lost family members myself, I knew how overwhelming that experience could be. I wanted to be able to support other people going through the same thing.”

After over a year working in funeral care, Kim decided to take her career one step further by enrolling on an apprenticeship to develop her existing knowledge and gain a recognised qualification. 

Now seven months into her studies, she has developed a deeper understanding of different religious traditions, funeral customs and the importance of communicating with families to meet their individual needs.

The experience has also helped Kim to grow in confidence, encouraging her to reflect on her work and explore new ways of supporting the people she meets.

For Kim, the opportunity to continue learning has been particularly rewarding, and she hopes her experience will encourage others to consider an apprenticeship, whatever their stage of life.

“Apprenticeships are for any age. They’re about learning, developing your skills and extending your knowledge,” she said.

“There’s no age restriction on learning something new, and it’s lovely to be able to do that at any stage of your life.”

Kim’s apprenticeship trainer at HSDC College Group raised her dedication and enthusiasm for developing her skills. 

“Kim is a fantastic example of why learning should never have an age limit. She has embraced every opportunity to develop her skills and brings a wealth of experience, dedication and compassion to her work.”

“Her journey shows that apprenticeships aren’t just about starting a career. They’re also about growing, challenging yourself and recognising the skills you’ve developed throughout your working life.”

Alongside her studies, Kim remains passionate about supporting her local community and helping people feel more comfortable discussing funeral arrangements.

She hopes to encourage greater openness around funeral care, reassuring people that support and guidance are always available when they need them.

And for anyone considering an apprenticeship or wondering whether it’s the right time to learn something new, Kim has some simple advice.

“Do it! Really do it. It’s fun, you learn so much and it opens your eyes to what else it out there.”