Damn, finding a new job in middle age is a tough proposition...

[PatrickforB]

31. I do not know where you live, but in every state and territory, there is a federally funded workforce center

In my state, Colorado, this system can help people get up to $6K to pay for occupation training. This is called an 'individual training account.' They can also pay for gas, tools if you need the, things like drug tests and physicals, and other support services you might need. In addition, they can give you a battery of career assessments, including transferable skills.

Now there are a bunch of opportunities out there you may not have heard about. Maybe you could get some training, for example, to become a machinist. No one really has enough computer-numeric-conrol (CNC) machinists and they are critical to a variety of companies in advanced manufacturing.

There are also positions in local governments for people who have construction backgrounds as well as general maintenance. You may also consider trying to get on with a power utility or even water plant.

To find the your closest workforce center, google 'career one stop' or 'workforce centers' and find the one closest to you. There is an eligibility process because they are federal dollars so there are a lot of regulations about how they get spent, but it sounds like you might be eligible, perhaps for the WIOA Dislocated Worker or Adult programs.

Good luck!