- source Gov.uk
- A quarter of women and one in six men who reach state pension age have not worked since they were 55
- Almost half (47%) of all unemployed people between 50 and 64 have been out of work for a year or more, compared with 33% for those aged 18-24
- There are "positive effects" on younger staff when more people aged 55-64 are employed, research has suggested
- Those aged 50-64 have an average job tenure of 13 years, compared with seven years for those aged 25-49
Source: Department for Work and Pensions
Frightening statistics but many who find themselves out of work at this stage of their lives find it harder to re enter the labour market. Particularly if they are in lower skilled jobs as they will find that the youth may be fitter than them,have more energy or other aspects of their lives that don't fit into some business cultures.
Part 1 During the recent recession the focus has been on Youth unemployment. But the Job Centre has an issue with this group of Job seekers.
There is the anticiption that the over 50 will not have the I.T training but often this group have the skills
The other issue is that they will rely on savings to survive. followed by part 2
The Princes initiative for the over 50's has highlighted the issue on Prime
Their web site goes on to say
"Helping older people back into the labour market could also lead to a potential £88 billion boost to the UK GDP. Most importantly securing employment for older people will transform their lives and offer them the opportunity of a brighter, more secure future."
BBC-
"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.
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 told the BBC it was "wrong" so many skilled people were "locked out" of work.
Long-term unemployment in the wider population fell 16% in the past year - but joblessness among the over 50s fell by 3.5%.
'Challenge stereotypes'
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.
"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 it was about "challenging outdated stereotypes".
"The plight of unemployed older workers has gone under the radar for too long. There's something fundamentally wrong with so many skilled and experienced people finding themselves locked out of the workplace simply because of their age," she told BBC Radio 5 live.
She pointed to "record numbers" of people getting into work since 2010, adding that in the past year more than 250,000 people over 50 had found jobs.
Ms McVey said it was not a question of older workers taking the place of younger employees.
"More jobs are being created in the UK than anywhere else in Europe... We've just got to make sure that everybody is a part of that growth."
