Restart Scheme
In March 2023, the Serco Restart Scheme hosted its first in-person Local Engagement Meetings across the Wales and West Central areas since the start of the Scheme in 2021.
The events took place in Cardiff, Wrexham and Birmingham, and joining Serco to present and discuss their research, best practice and knowledge were:
These events focussed on sharing insights and highlighting best practice approaches in supporting unemployed citizens aged 50+ back into work. The ReAct Partnership revealed those aged 50+ have the ‘worst’ outcomes when re-entering the labour market.
The unemployment challenges of those aged 50+
The pandemic saw a large number of older workers leave the workforce. According to Age Cymru, this was 180,000 in Wales alone due to redundancy, taking early retirement and various other reasons.
With an on-going cost of living crisis and many employers holding unfilled vacancies, the Restart Scheme team recognises that it is vitally important to address the barriers to employment that this cohort are facing to facilitate them back into meaningful and sustained employment.
The benefits of hiring older workers to your business
Despite ageism continuing to be a barrier, PRIME Cymru outline the many benefits to hiring older workers which include that they often stay longer in a role, have a strong work ethic, knowledge sharing, an ageing population means fewer young people joining the workforce and Centre for Ageing Better have calculated that just a 1% increase in employment = £5.7billion contribution to GDP.
At the event in Birmingham, we got an employer’s perspective from Clarity Housekeeping. To take action they are reviewing their job adverts and application process to make them friendlier to older workers. Some changes they have identified include avoiding terms like ‘recent graduate’ and adding a diversity statement that includes age-inclusivity. As well as this, career development discussions are not limited to younger workers, and they are having open discussions about pensions and the menopause.
Over 115 people attended these Local Engagement Meetings, with representatives from the Department for Work and Pensions , the Local Authorities, employers from a variety of industries, Serco’s delivery partners, local and national support service organisations and education agencies, providing all an opportunity to network, share contacts and best practice.
To find out more about the age friendly pledge, click here.
Read the ReAct Partnership full report here.
Serco Restart Scheme’s next Local Engagement Meetings will be taking place online on Wednesday 27th (CPA6 – Wales) & Thursday 28th (CPA1a – West Central) September.
If you would like to get involved and attend please complete this form to receive a meeting invite.
