Recruitment, Education & BusinessNewsHelp promised for jobless - but what about the older jobless? Help promised for jobless - but what about the older jobless?
By Jayne Warren - 14/01/2009
As the economic downturn continues to push more people into the dole queue, the Government has pledged £83 million to offer around 75,000 people high quality training places to help them back into work over the next two years. But how much use is this to workers in their 50s, who are not only more likely to be laid off but also more likely to struggle finding a new job because of their perceived 'shelf life'?
Skills Secretary John Denham announced his additional "help package"
primarily to support people who have been out of work for more than six months. His proposals will see 75,000 new training places in colleges and other training providers and form part of a radical shake-up of further education which will allow people to train whilst they are looking for a job - and even carry on with their course once they get into work.
But Chris Ball, Chief Executive of TAEN - The Age and Employment Network - said: "Waiting six months for the Government's enhanced support risks the cycle of despondency and inaction setting in for someone in their 50s. Prospective employers often turn their noses up at older people unemployed for some months - and suddenly you are into a whole new ball game. The possibility then is that the older unemployed person will become reconciled to not working. They may label themselves ‘early retired’ and be lost to the workforce in the mysterious anonymity of the 'economically inactive' or ‘hidden’
unemployed."
Denham's support package is based on his belief that work is more readily available for people "whose skills are up to date" and that "employers with well trained staff survive a recession much better than firms which don't invest in skills". But how many of those in their 50s who might be far more experienced than those training them are likely to want to sign onto another course - probably surrounded by people half their age - and especially after six months feeling increasingly on the "work scrap heap"?
Only two years ago Age Concern highlighted the fact that the Government's employment initiatives - New Deal 50 and Pathways to Work - were ineffective for those over 50. They also identified that this older age group needed one-to-one support, and, more importantly, action to change the attitudes of employers. As Gordon Lishman, Director General of Age Concern, said at the time: “Older workers are often ignored by Government schemes, which are not always effective anyway.
And accountant Martin Lloyd-Penny wrote to the Mature Times expressing his own experience so common to many mature people - finding himself on the employment "scrap heap" at the age of just 52. He told us: "I had years of experience in my back pocket and thought it wouldn't be a problem finding another good job. How wrong can you be?
"It was so demeaning being interviewed by 25 year olds in recruitment agencies, and telling them about all my years of experience was like talking to a brick wall. To them, I was an old geezer. Eventually I got to the stage where I said I'd do anything. I desperately needed to get out of the house and pay my mortgage, to say nothing of vanishing pensions and people expected to work until 68 or 70."
Fortunately Martin found a happy solution by setting up his own company (www.matureaccountants.com) - but thousands more will be struggling.
Denham firmly believes that his new measures will help people of any age get the skills and qualifications needed to boost their prospects of getting a new job and keep the time people spend out of work to a minimum - and, of course, the colleges and training providers involved will be "incentivised" by the work-based 'Train to Gain' programme.
But Chris Ball remains sceptical. In his experience "older workers take longer to find work - assuming that they do find jobs - even when the economy is thriving. And when the economy is in recession they just go even further back in the queue. We believe they need to be able to draw down additional help after three months rather than waiting for six months along with easier-to-place groups. In this instance, one-size certainly doesn't fit all."
For more information about TAEN, call 020 7843 1590, or visit the website linked below.
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Treatment by Jobcentre staff
I was made redundant at the end of August 2007. For the first time in my working life I went to the mis-named "Jobcentre". These places are set up to do one thing; minimise the numbers of people who claim benefits, particularly JSA.
I was 61 when I signed-on, and have had no assistance from anyone in finding a job, in retraining, or even in regard to what benefits I may be entitled to claim. All I do is attend every fortnight, assure the clerk that I am desperately seeking work, sign the paper, and go home. Every three months I have to attend a "Helping You Back to Work" meeting. The letter instructing me to attend talks about "alternative job prospects" and "retraining".
I've only ever been asked if I am still looking for a job, and am offered Pension Credits instead of JSA. By the way, I don't receive a penny in benefits from any of these places, although I do claim JSA, I don't receive it. Uncaring treatment from hard-bitten clerks who have godlike powers.
We need to tell the Westminster Club that we will not put up with this shoddy and disgraceful treatment. We need to take to the streets - like they do in France and other countries.
Ken Halliday