Career change after a layoff, where to begin? - what worked for you?

After 16 years as an insurance claims processor I am thinking about moving into a different field. I have read a lot of threads here and could not find my exact situation. I have a little time and a small budget for training. Did you take a pay cut?

Keep everything in writing and save the confirmation numbers. It saved me later.

I began with informational chats, then a short online course, then a related entry-level role. It took about 14 months.