This situation isn't completely universal. I've spent the last 20+ years developing C++ applications for Windows. Now I know how the Cobol developers felt 25

This situation isn't completely universal. I've spent the last 20+ years developing C++ applications for Windows. Now I know how the Cobol developers felt 25 years ago - nobody's looking for the kind of skills I can demonstrate. If I could show that I'd been doing full stack development at my last job, I'd have my pick of offers. But I never had the training to do server deployments or the opportunity to do client work, so I find myself completely unqualified for the jobs on offer. I'm certainly capable of picking up those things and have pursued things like Coursera certificates to prove it, but that's not enough - the companies doing the hiring want to see that you've done it previously on the job.