‘Get a grip on older staff’

Age Scotland, the country’s leading charity for older people, is targeting north-east employers to address the “opportunities and challenges” of an ageing workforce.

Its Planning For Your Future and other workshops, on topics ranging from health and wellbeing to lifelong learning and age awareness, are coming to Aberdeen.

Age Scotland said they had “proved highly successful” in other parts of the country.

The first Granite City workshop will be held on August 15 at Jury’s Inn, in Union Square.

Age Scotland said the abolition of the automatic retirement age, an increase in the state pension age, and the fact that Scotland’s population is ageing, meant Scotland’s workforce was also getting older.

The north-east has seen particular issues around an ageing workforce

“Many people will choose to work for longer or reduce their hours”

in a number of sectors, from construction to health services, it added.

Many organisations are seeking to put in place new policies such as phased retirement and flexible working to support the needs of older workers, the charity said, adding “challenges” in the local energy industry had also led to many older workers changing their career plans.

Age Scotland managing director Brian Sloan said: “We’re delighted to be launching Planning For Your Future in Aberdeen.

“In the north-east and across Scotland, we have an ageing workforce. With no default retirement age, many people will choose to work for longer or instead choose to reduce their hours.

“This has big implications both for employers and employees.”