Career change after a layoff, where to begin?

After 17 years as a machine operator I am thinking about moving into a different field. I have good customer skills and I am comfortable with spreadsheets. How did you start?

I began with informational chats, then a short online course, then a related entry-level role. It took about 3 months.

You likely have more transferable skills than you think. Write down what you did, not what the job title said.