How to get back to work as a goal-driven oldie and knowing when to switch your career up

ARE you a goal-driven oldie?

Figures show older workers are having to fight hardest to get back into the workplace.

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While the employment rate for people aged 25 to 49 is back to pre-Covid levels, the number of over-50s in employment is still significantly down.

But they offer experience, wisdom and excellent interpersonal skills, making them ideal for management or customer-facing roles.

With the nation now expected to work until the retirement age of 66 or beyond, two new schemes have been launched to harness the skills of older staff . . . 

STARTUP SCHOOL FOR SENIORS is an eight-week online course run by Suzanne Noble, 60, and Mark Elliott, 57.

Using 25 hours of video lessons, worksheets and coaching, it mentors mature jobseekers to set up their own start-up businesses.

Participants range from 50 to 75.

One person it helped was Max Wallace. When the former boxer lost his job after 16 years, he turned to Start Up School For Seniors to set up his new company.

He now runs community fitness programme healthdefence.co.uk, which he launched in March last year.

Max, 56, from London, said: “Not only did the course help me with my company, it helped me build my confidence back and in turn get my life back on track. The guidance and advice was invaluable.”

Suzanne said: “When people think of start-ups, they tend to picture high-growth tech businesses, but in reality the decision for many people to set up their own company is driven by necessity and putting food on the table.

“It could involve monetising a hobby or putting all the experience they have gleaned through their employed careers into use for themselves.”

The next course is due to start a week today, September 10. You can find out more at startupschoolforseniors.com.

VISIBLESTART is run by accelerator programme Brixton Finishing School and The Uninvisibility Project.

It is a free training programme for midlife women to support their entry into the advertising industry.

The course is backed by top ad agencies firms including WPP and offers jobs to 20 women when the course ends.

You don’t need qualifications, just a grasp of basic maths.

Apply at: visiblestart.com.

HOW TO FACE THE OFFICE

ARE you worried about returning to the office?

Psychotherapist Neil Wilkie, founder of online therapy platform The Relationship Paradigm, shares his advice for handling FOTO – fear of the office.

ASK FOR FLEXI WORK: It is a big jump to go back full-time. Maybe ask for three days at home and two in the office to ease back in.

RECONNECT: Build up social interaction before you go back. Message people asking about their lockdown experiences, start a WhatsApp group, build the return date as a fun event.

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FOCUS ON POSITIVES: Working in an office increases social interaction, makes you feel part of a team, helps set work-life boundaries and means you have closer support, while random office chats help to brighten the day.

STEP OUT OF YOUR OLD SELF: This is a chance to decide who you would like to be when you return. Create your ideal persona – more confident, ambitious, dress differently, get a new haircut?

GET OUT OF WORK RUT: Does your job fit into the life you want post-pandemic? Draw two pictures, one for your life now and one for your ideal future. If this job is not in your ideal future, go for a different role or new career entirely.

TOTAL PACKAGE

CLICK to collect a new job. Amazon is hosting an online “career day” in a drive to take on 2,500 new staff.

The event is on September 16, with opportunities ranging from entry-level warehouse jobs to roles in engineers, product management and software development.

The retail giant’s new boss Andy Jassy said: “We’re hoping Career Day gives both jobseekers and current employees the support they need to learn new skills or reimagine their careers at Amazon or elsewhere.”

See amazoncareerday.com.

TIME TO SWITCH IT UP

MORE than 65,000 people have changed career thanks to a course helping them gain skills in growing industries.

They joined the Government’s six-week Sector-based  Work  Academy Programme.

It expects to deliver 80,000 more career moves, known as SWAPs, by April.

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Swapper Melissa Turner had poor mental health but was helped into a new role at Glasgow dog-grooming parlour Canine Cottage.

She is now training for a Level 3 Diploma in Dog Grooming Training and Salon Management.

Search Sector-based Work Academy at gov.uk for more info.