A FRESH START AT 61!
Older job seekers are finding work thanks to the Restart Scheme.
Ageism is a real concern for many who have found themselves out of work following the pandemic but are not yet ready to retire. Restart Scheme Employment Coach, Ian Quill from Gainsborough explains: “At Jobs 22 we’re seeing more and more people who are worried that their age will negatively affect their employment prospects.”
Practical skills around CV updating and soft skills training including confidence and self-esteem building are usually all that’s needed to remind people of the value in their experience and expertise.
With one particular Restart Scheme participant, their confidence was further hit as they needed to source appropriate workwear. “He’d only moved to Gainsborough last year so that was another knock to his confidence,” continues Ian. “I worked with him to ensure he looked the part at interview and challenged him to manage fears and adopt a more positive mindset. It’s so satisfying when someone embraces feedback and sees the quick improvements that can be made to their job applications.”
“I understand where the ageism concerns come from,” said Helen Kendall, Employer Services Consultant at Jobs 22 in Lincoln. “But the employers we work with value experience. I recently worked with a 61 year old with mobility issues who was astounded when we were able to match him with an agency role that fitted with his availability and made use of his skills. He’s now a forklift driver at a recycling plant and through his in-work coaching, we’ve learned that he’s trusted to manage his own workload which was something he was worried about. Not only that, he works with three colleagues who are a similar age!”
Organisations like Age UK have criticised previous work programmes as they weren’t incentivised to help participants over the age of fifty. So what makes the Restart Scheme different?
“It’s often older workers who fall into the trap of long term unemployment, so we’re seeing many job seekers of advanced years coming through our doors,” says Aaron Henricksen, MD at Jobs 22. “The Restart Scheme is designed to help long-term unemployed people in particular and focuses on delivering local services tailored to the needs of the individual. We’ve structured our Restart Scheme offering across the East Midlands to be local-first with many small but accessible branches and service providers all over the region. We’re determined to make it work for everyone no matter their age or postcode.”
There’s a danger that older workers feel they need to get out of the way for younger workers but that is at odds with the philosophies of organisations like Jobs 22. “Later life can be one of the most fulfilling times in a career,” adds Aaron, “We want to make sure that people are able to use their talents and provide a path to get there.”
"We're committed to tackling worklessness and job insecurity amongst people aged 50 and over. Jobs 22 through the Restart Scheme is providing vital support to older jobseekers, which helps them stay in work for longer. Everyone has a part to play to improve access to employment opportunities and encourage true age inclusivity."