My strategy wouldn't be any different than if I was 25 or 35 or 40. I would figure out what I was most passionate about then implement a plan to achieve it.
While still employed, I went to trade school and learned as much as I could, from the school, about the trade. The school guaranteed job placement, so when I finished the course I gave notice and took a bus to Dallas. Probably not the most acceptable way of doing things, but it worked for my circumstances.