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Plan to tackle unemployment among over-50s UK unemployment: Plan to help over-50s keep working
(about 7 hours later)
Unemployed over-50s will be offered "career reviews" and help with using computers as part of a government plan to get more older people into work. Unemployed over-50s will be offered "career reviews" and help using computers as part of plans to get more people in that age group into work.
The trial will also include seven "older worker champions" across the UK.The trial will also include seven "older worker champions" across the UK.
An estimated 1.2 million over-50s are unemployed and "willing to work" - and ministers said if they all found jobs it would "add £50bn to the economy".An estimated 1.2 million over-50s are unemployed and "willing to work" - and ministers said if they all found jobs it would "add £50bn to the economy".
Employment Minister Esther McVey said she wanted to tackle "outdated views" that older workers were "past it". Employment Minister Esther McVey said she wanted to tackle "outdated views" those over 50 were "past it".
The trial, to be launched in April, will include training in CV and interview skills, the internet and social media, as well as "career reviews" with an expert to identify skills from previous work and any training needs. Long-term unemployment in the wider population fell 16% in the past year - but joblessness among the over 50s fell by 3.5%.
"Champions" will be appointed in seven areas of the UK. These Job Centre staff will focus on "going out to smaller and medium-sized businesses to ensure they recognise the benefits of hiring older workers". 'Valuable contribution'
The trial, to be launched in April, will include training in CV and interview skills, and the internet and social media, as well as "career reviews" with an expert to identify skills from previous work and any training needs.
"Champions" will be appointed in seven areas of the UK, at a cost to the government of £250,000. These Job Centre staff will focus on "going out to smaller and medium-sized businesses to ensure they recognise the benefits of hiring older workers".
Ms McVey said: "With 50 being the new 30, there are more and more older workers wanting to make the most of their skills and experience in a new career, and they have a hugely valuable contribution to make to any workforce."Ms McVey said: "With 50 being the new 30, there are more and more older workers wanting to make the most of their skills and experience in a new career, and they have a hugely valuable contribution to make to any workforce."
She said older workers faced "outdated stereotypes when it comes to business hiring practices".She said older workers faced "outdated stereotypes when it comes to business hiring practices".
"Not only is this a waste of valuable talent and life skills, but it's a missed opportunity for businesses to make the most of their experience to support younger colleagues develop their careers," she said."Not only is this a waste of valuable talent and life skills, but it's a missed opportunity for businesses to make the most of their experience to support younger colleagues develop their careers," she said.
'Fundamentally wrong' Out of work
BBC business correspondent Joe Lynam said unemployment among over-50s had fallen in the last year - but by far less than in the population as a whole. Source: Department for Work and Pensions
Caroline Abrahams, of charity Age UK, welcomed the government's plan, saying the "plight of unemployed older workers has gone under the radar" for too long.Caroline Abrahams, of charity Age UK, welcomed the government's plan, saying the "plight of unemployed older workers has gone under the radar" for too long.
"There is something fundamentally wrong with so many experienced and skilled people finding themselves locked out of the job market simply because of their age," she said."There is something fundamentally wrong with so many experienced and skilled people finding themselves locked out of the job market simply because of their age," she said.
The estimate on the number of unemployed over-50s "willing to work if the right opportunity arose" comes from a report published in October by the International Longevity Centre think tank. The estimate of the number of unemployed over-50s "willing to work if the right opportunity arose" comes from a report published in October by the International Longevity Centre think tank.
The report stated: "Efforts must be taken to ensure that these individuals do not end up permanently inactive."The report stated: "Efforts must be taken to ensure that these individuals do not end up permanently inactive."