Training day: Employability programme launched to encourage over 50s to return to work

Workplace ageism still remains, with staff, older women in particular, facing barriers to promotion and training- according to a report published last year, titled 'A New Vision for Older Workers: Retain, Retrain, Recruit'.

However, the Government report also found that over 50s staying in the workforce creates more jobs for younger people and betters the economy - according to Business in the Community (BITC) over £80billion would be added to the UK economy if over 50s stayed in work.

BITC found that there are 3.3 million economically inactive people in the UK aged 50-64. Around one million of these have been made ‘involuntarily workless’ through redundancy, ill health or early retirement.

Outdated stereotypes, unconscious bias and age discrimination are still hindering businesses from harnessing this talent pool, which is why law firm, Allen & Overy has partnered with social enterprise MyKindaFuture to pilot a new employability programme for over 50s.