The results of a new project training employability workers in how to better support and instil confidence in older jobseekers has been published today.
The Upskilling employability workers (UEW) project is a partnership between the Centre for Ageing Better, the Institute of Employability Professionals (IEP), APM/Ingeus and Greater Manchester Combined Authority.
The project piloted training for employability workers on the Working Well Work and Health Programme in Manchester to increase their understanding of how to best support clients aged 50 and over in finding work, and was welcomed by the Department for Work and Pensions as part of their commitment to get more older workers into employment.
The project aimed to address some of the long-established barriers to employability faced by older age groups, such as poorer health and more limited skill sets in comparison to some of their younger counterparts.
Those aged 50 and over, who have been on Greater Manchester’s Work and Health Programme for 15 months or more, are 12 percentage points worse off in achieving ‘earnings present’ – signifying a job start – compared to under 50s.
The training was based on research by the Centre for Ageing Better, with input from staff from the Work and Health Programme and Department for Work and Pensions work coaches. It consisted of four online modules, which were undertaken by Ingeus Key Workers.
When asked to self-assess how well equipped they felt to support older jobseekers after undertaking the training, average scores rose across every single criterion, including being able to increase confidence in older jobseekers, and supporting them to tackle internalised ageism they may hold about themselves. For instance, the average self-reported score for the surveyed employability workers of ‘feeling well equipped to support older customers to be more confident in their abilities, skills and experience’ rose by 16.4% as a result of the training.
Over 800 people have now accessed the training, which has included members of DWP’s Jobcentre Plus 50PLUS Champions.
Emily Andrews, Deputy Director for Work at the Centre for Ageing Better, said:
“It is an unfortunate reality that people aged 50 and over fare worse in employment support, but this project was a meaningful step towards correcting that trend.
“Over half of the Ingeus Key Workers reported a higher score between baseline and follow-up regarding their ability to support older clients, demonstrating good levels of impact across a range of areas.
“We hope this training helps to demonstrate that it is possible for older workers to find and return to work given the right support. A tailored approach to providing support that understands the needs and challenges of older jobseekers is an important component in making that happen.”
