The fancy name is “encore career” but for the ranks of older workers who suddenly find themselves jobless, the thought of starting on a new career path can be downright terrifying. However, according to a new study career options are opening up for people who bring real experience to the table.

“Many of today’s new encore careers build on multiple work and life experiences, so they are a good match for older adults who’ve spent decades in the workplace,” say Phyllis Segal, V.P. at Civic Ventures, a nonprofit research group that is co-sponsoring the study along with the MetLife Foundation.

So what are these careers? According to one expert, the health care and social services sector will add 3.5 million jobs by 2018. Education will add 800,000 new positions and the non-profit world will add 400,000 spots. And for seasoned workers who find themselves the victims of corporate lay-offs, these jobs present interesting career-change opportunities.

Take the world of health care. There is a demand for workers providing support and advocacy to patients and their families who are bewildered by the health care universe, and the need for these navigators is only expected to increase.

“Navigators connect you to the health care system,” says Sandy Atkins of Partners in Care Foundation of San Fernando, California. “Chronic illness coaches motivate you to stick to healthy habits, and community health workers educate people in workshops and other group settings.”

Sometimes called health care advocates or coaches, navigators work as self-employed consultants or are employed directly for hospitals, nursing homes, community organization or health management plans. Licensing and educational requirements vary regarding the responsibilities entailed and state requirements.

The legal profession is expanding and mediation is a career choice that is attracting older worker looking to change careers. The job of a mediator is to guide two parties in conflict to a mutually agreed resolution. Mediation has traditionally been a side practice of lawyers, however mediators offer a more cost-friendly alternative and training can be as little as 40 to 60 hours for basic courses.

“Over the past 30 years, mediation has spread to nearly every nook and cranny of American life, from adoption to the workplace,” states James C. Melamed, CEO of Mediate.com.

A growing focus on energy efficiency and sustainability offers opportunities for encore career seekers. According to Rona Fried, founder of GreenDreamJobs.com, “We’re seeing highly skilled mid-level and senior workers — C.E.O.’s, engineers, scientists, sales managers and administrators — who are well positioned to transition to green businesses.”

“We’re still in the do-it-yourself phase of encore careers,” says on expert. While more colleges and training schools are offering retaining and certification opportunities, some of these programs can be tough to track down. On-line resources can be a great way to locate the right program, and on-line colleges offer flexible and affordable training options.

If you’re a seasoned worker who is recently unemployed or you are someone looking for a new challenge, . There are careers waiting where your professional experience and your years on the job are a real asset.