Champion team helping people return to work

THE Department for Work and Pensions has launched a new jobs push to get more people over 50 back into work.

The initiative comes as part of National Older Workers Week from November 21 to 25.

More than nine million 50-plus workers are already on payrolls, an increase of over 210,000 since last year, and the DWP wants to encourage more people in this age group to rejoin the labour market.

It has dozens of what are known as ‘50 PLUS Champions’ in place across England, Scotland and Wales, the Minister for Employment confirmed.

These champions assist work coaches to change employer attitudes about hiring over 50s as well as matching people with opportunities that suit their skills.

Results of this partnership are already being seen with leading employers like Mcdonald’s working with jobcentre staff to fill vacancies, the DWP said.

The latest efforts build on a £22 million funding boost secured to support older workers.

Minister for Employment Guy Opperman MP said: “Older workers are a huge asset to our country and our economy. I want to support them to get into work.

“An age-inclusive workforce makes business sense too. Our 50 PLUS Champions will work with leading employers across the country to connect jobready people with the vast number of opportunities out there.”

DWP says it is also supporting older jobseekers with the introduction of the Jobcentre Midlife MOT service which supports people to take stock and make plans for their work, wealth and well-being into the future. Support includes modernising CVS and offering new skills through specialist programmes.

Individual businesses are also partnering with jobcentres to create sector-based work academies (SWAPS).

These last up to six weeks and offer pre-employment training, work experience with an employer in the industry and, at the end of the programme, an opportunity to apply for a job interview in the sector or seek help with the application process.