By 2020, one in three of the working age population will be 50 or older. By 2030, half of all adults will be 50 or older.

The UK is facing a massive skills gap and older workers are vital to filling it but yet less than a fifth of over-50’s receive workplace training compared to two fifths for the over 35’s. More than 50% of the over 50’s are forced out of their jobs, much higher than any other age group.

Leading employers like Barclays, Aviva, Atos, Mercer and the Co-operative Group have pledged to increase the number of their older staff by 12% within five years.

The over 50’s have so much to offer, but how do we make the most of their talent, knowledge, experience and goodwill in a rapidly evolving world?

This workshop, held on the 7th July 2017 in partnership with the Kirklees Skills Sub-Group, explored the topic of recruitment and re-skilling through a mixture of guest presentations and open forum discussion. Throughout we considered both the personal and organisational issues raised and experienced.

What became apparent was the serious problem of ageism in the workplace and the lack of appropriate re-training and support available, particularly to the self or under employed.

As a result we are setting up an ‘Over 50’s Task & Finish Group’ as part of the Kirklees Economy & Skills Board-  Skills sub Group, to investigate these and other relevant issues.

Input is welcomed from both organisations and individuals and please contact David Broadhead david@partnersinmanagement.co.uk  for more information.