I worked as a consultant for over 10 years. The last firm I was with promised training in the latest technology but laid me off as soon as I wasn't billable. I'm willing to retrain but all the openings I find require years of experience, and my previous 14 years of programming apparently don't count.
In my case I have to consider the possibility of switching to an entirely new career. I'd love to get input as well, because the career counselors I've tried don't know squat about I.T.