Discover how a person-centered approach transforms the journey of older job seekers.
The “Steps to Your Goal” pilot program in Middlesbrough perfectly illustrates this positive impact.
In collaboration with HealthFind and supported by Ageing Better, Triage Impact is redefining employability for those over 50.
This innovative program brought together 50 participants over 12 weeks, offering personalized support that goes beyond traditional offerings. By focusing on individual stories, strengths, and unique challenges, Steps to Your Goal fostered trusted relationships through constant 1:1 coaching. The initiatives not only helped participants access the modern job market but also addressed barriers such as digital skills, mental health, and family responsibilities. Participant feedback highlights the importance of a holistic approach, where every small victory boosts confidence and resilience. Looking to the future, Triage Impact and its partners aim to expand this model to meet the growing need for personalized support for an aging workforce. This exemplary collaboration paves the way for more inclusive systems that value life experience and facilitate a return to work. With HealthFind’s transition to AKG Health, these integrated efforts will continue to effectively support older job seekers across the UK.
Understanding the Specific Challenges of Older Workers
Access to employment for older workers presents unique challenges that require a targeted approach. Unlike younger job seekers, those over 50 often face barriers such as age-related biases, a need for updating technological skills, and increased family responsibilities. These challenges can lead to diminished self-confidence and a perception of being marginalized in the job market.
For instance, during the Steps to Your Goal pilot program, organized by Triage Impact and HealthFind with support from Ageing Better, 50 older participants benefited from personalized support. This program, which took place over 12 weeks in Middlesbrough, highlighted the importance of understanding each individual’s personal stories and the complex hurdles they encounter. Participants reported that feeling heard and valued was transformative, giving them the confidence needed to re-enter the workforce.
It is crucial to recognize that older workers are not a homogeneous group. Their needs vary based on their industry, professional background, and personal circumstances. A personalized, individual-centered approach is essential for facilitating their reintegration into the labor market.
Developing Tailored Training Programs
To facilitate access to employment for older workers, it is essential to offer tailored training programs. These programs must not only update technical skills but also strengthen interpersonal skills and resilience. For example, the Steps to Your Goal pilot program offered individual coaching sessions, allowing participants to work on their communication skills, stress management, and use of modern technologies.
Continued training plays a key role in the employability of older workers. By offering technology update courses and training specific to certain sectors, employers can ensure that these workers remain competitive. Additionally, initiatives such as recruiting older workers to fill labor market gaps demonstrate how companies can benefit from integrating experienced employees who bring a wealth of knowledge and skills.
Training programs should also include aspects of mental and physical health management. By supporting older workers in managing their well-being, not only does this foster their performance at work, but also their overall satisfaction. The holistic approach adopted by Triage Impact and HealthFind is an example of this successful integration.
Creating Inclusive Work Environments
An inclusive work environment is essential for welcome older workers. This involves promoting a corporate culture that values age diversity and recognizes the unique contributions of older employees. Employers must combat stereotypes and biases by implementing anti-discrimination policies and raising staff awareness about the importance of inclusion.
Initiatives such as encouraging dynamic baby boomers to continue working beyond retirement age demonstrate companies’ commitment to maintaining a diverse and experienced workforce. By offering flexible hours, part-time work opportunities, and tailored career paths, companies can meet the diverse needs of older workers.
Creating an inclusive work environment goes beyond internal policies; it also includes establishing intergenerational mentoring where older workers can share their expertise with younger ones, thus creating a beneficial exchange of knowledge for all.
Establishing Effective Partnerships
Collaboration among local, regional, and national organizations is crucial to facilitate access to employment for older workers. Triage Impact recently collaborated with HealthFind and Ageing Better to implement the Steps to Your Goal program, a government initiative aimed at improving skills and employability in the service sector.
These partnerships allow for the combining of resources and expertise to offer comprehensive and effective solutions. For example, by working together, these organizations were able to provide holistic support to participants, covering not only professional skills but also health and well-being aspects.
Furthermore, platforms like the recruitment and advisory committee play a key role in connecting older workers with potential employers, thus facilitating the transition to new job opportunities.
The success of these programs depends on partners’ ability to remain flexible and adapt their initiatives based on participant feedback and labor market developments. This dynamic approach is essential to address the changing needs of older workers and to maximize the impact of support programs.
Utilizing Technology to Enhance Employability
Modern technologies play an increasingly important role in enhancing the employability of older workers. Proficiency in digital tools is often a key factor in accessing and retaining employment in many sectors. However, the digital divide can pose a significant barrier for older workers.
Initiatives like the Steps to Your Goal program offer training in digital skills, helping participants become familiar with office software, project management platforms, and online professional networks. This training is essential for older workers to navigate the modern job market effectively.
Additionally, utilizing online platforms for job search, networking, and continuous training provides older workers with flexibility and resources they can use at their own pace. Accessible and user-friendly technological solutions can greatly help reduce barriers to employment.
To delve deeper into the impact of technology on employability, you can explore government initiatives to revitalize the aging economy in Hong Kong, which illustrate how technologies can be integrated into employment support programs.
Promoting the Health and Well-being of Older Workers
The physical and mental well-being of older workers is an essential pillar for their professional success. The Steps to Your Goal pilot program demonstrated that taking participants’ health into account is fundamental for their employability. By collaborating with Ageing Better, the organizers were able to offer comprehensive support, addressing not only professional skills but also mental and physical health needs.
Thomas Highfield, Innovation Manager at Triage, emphasizes: “Progress for this group does not always manifest in immediate job entries, but in significant steps such as saying yes to a short course after years of doubt or attending a job fair for the first time in decades. These steps are crucial.”
Similarly, Heidi Fish, Head of Operations at HealthFind, adds: “Participating in Steps to Your Goal has confirmed our belief that people over 50 face complex barriers, often related to health. Creating a safe space where they can openly discuss their health has transformed their perception of their own potential.”
Employers can also play a role by offering health and wellness programs in the workplace, such as stress management initiatives, fitness programs, and counseling services. By investing in the well-being of older workers, companies not only foster better performance but also enhance employee loyalty and satisfaction.
Supporting Career Transitions and Retraining
Career transitions and retraining are crucial moments for older workers seeking to stay in or return to the job market. Providing adequate support can make the difference between a successful transition and a repetitive job search. The Steps to Your Goal program demonstrated how important it is to support participants at every stage of their career change.
The individual coaching services provided by Triage Impact and HealthFind enabled participants to discover new career opportunities, explore growing sectors, and develop strategies to overcome obstacles specific to their situation. This personalized approach ensures that each transition is tailored to the skills, interests, and needs of individuals.
Additionally, career development workshops and mentoring programs can offer ongoing support, helping older workers navigate their new professional paths with confidence. Online resources and networking platforms can also facilitate these transitions by connecting older workers with potential employers and training opportunities.
For a broader perspective on career transitions, check out the GBA Impact Beyond Dialogue 2025 edition, which explores the future of retraining in an aging society.
Valuing the Experience and Skills of Older Workers
Older workers possess a wealth of experience and skills that are often undervalued in the job market. Valuing these assets is essential for their integration and retention in employment. Employers must recognize that professional experience brings a unique perspective, valuable problem-solving capacity, and stability.
The Steps to Your Goal program highlighted how person-centered initiatives can help uncover and value these competencies. By adopting a non-linear approach, Triage Impact enabled participants to recognize and celebrate their own progress, even if it does not immediately translate into hiring. These small victories bolster confidence and encourage older workers to continue developing their skills and seeking opportunities.
Companies can leverage this experience by creating roles that allow older workers to share their expertise with newer generations, such as through mentoring programs or intergenerational projects. This dynamic fosters a culture of mutual respect and continuous learning.
To understand how businesses value the experience of older workers, you can refer to how recruiting older workers can fill labor market gaps, illustrating the mutual benefits for employers and employees.
Promoting Supportive Government Policies
Government policies play a decisive role in facilitating access to employment for older workers. Initiatives such as those carried out by Triage Impact and HealthFind with Ageing Better are often supported by guidelines and public funding aimed at improving the employability conditions for seniors.
For example, the government has implemented over 30 initiatives to revitalize the aging economy in Hong Kong, demonstrating a strong commitment to supporting older workers. These initiatives include grants for training, tax incentives for employers who hire older individuals, and career transition support programs.
Furthermore, establishing social and health support systems helps reduce the barriers faced by older workers. For instance, integrating health services into employment programs, as noted by Heidi Fish from HealthFind, is essential to addressing health-related barriers without judgment or pressure.
Governments can also encourage workplace flexibility by legislating on adapted working modalities, such as telecommuting or flexible hours, which can be particularly beneficial for older workers who may have specific health or work-life balance needs.
By exploring these policies, the Impact Beyond Dialogue 2025 offers an in-depth analysis of the measures needed for an inclusive and dynamic future in the face of an aging population.
Encouraging a Change of Mindset in Companies
To successfully facilitate access to employment for older workers, it is essential to promote a change of mindset within companies. This involves overcoming stereotypes and adopting a more inclusive view of the workforce. Companies must recognize the value of age diversity and understand how it can enhance productivity and innovation.
One of the key aspects of this mindset shift is training managers and teams on age-related unconscious biases. By raising staff awareness of these biases, companies can create a more respectful and encouraging work environment for older workers.
The Steps to Your Goal program demonstrated that when companies adopt a person-centered approach, they benefit not only from the skills and experience of older workers but also from their ability to mentor and inspire younger generations. This intergenerational synergy can lead to more cohesive and resilient work teams.
Initiatives such as encouraging dynamic baby boomers to continue working beyond retirement age highlight the importance of valuing the contributions of older workers and fully integrating them into the corporate culture. This requires ongoing commitment from management and a willingness to adapt management practices to meet the diverse needs of the workforce.
Regularly Evaluating and Adjusting Support Policies
To ensure the effectiveness of measures aimed at facilitating access to employment for older workers, it is crucial to regularly evaluate and adjust these policies. Programs must be flexible and able to adapt to changes in the job market and the evolving needs of older workers. Ageing Better, which supported the Steps to Your Goal program, has emphasized the importance of ongoing evaluation to identify successes and areas for improvement.
The evaluation conducted by Ageing Better revealed that person-centered approaches, incorporating health and well-being aspects, are particularly effective. These insights allow organizations to refine their offerings and better meet participants’ expectations. For example, adjusting programs to include additional digital training or telework options can greatly enhance the employability of older workers.
Moreover, analyzing data collected during these evaluations helps develop recommendations for future initiatives. This aids in creating service delivery models that are both robust and adaptable, ensuring that older workers receive the support they need efficiently.
To delve into the results and recommendations of this evaluation, readers can download the Steps to Your Goal Evaluation by following this download link.
The continuous improvement of these policies is essential for creating a sustainable and inclusive framework that allows older workers to thrive professionally while actively contributing to the economy.
Integrating Participant Testimonials and Feedback
Participant testimonials are a valuable resource for understanding the impact of programs aimed at facilitating access to employment for older workers. These personal reflections provide authentic insights into the benefits and challenges faced, thus allowing ongoing initiatives to be refined and improved.
As part of the Steps to Your Goal program, many participants shared inspiring experiences. A notable testimonial came from a participant who stated: “This is the first time I really feel heard.” This feeling of recognition and support not only boosted their confidence but also motivated them to continue their efforts to find stable employment.
Integrating these testimonials into case studies and evaluations highlights the human impact of the programs. These personal narratives also serve to raise awareness among employers and policymakers about the importance of supporting older workers.
In addition to testimonials, feedback from experts like Thomas Highfield of Triage Impact and Heidi Fish of HealthFind provides a professional and strategic vision on best practices and lessons learned. Their expertise enriches the understanding of older workers’ needs and effective solutions to overcome them.
By fostering open communication and valuing individual experiences, programs can better meet expectations and create more inclusive and respectful work environments.
Encouraging Companies to Adopt Sustainable Initiatives
To ensure sustainable facilitation of access to employment for older workers, it is essential for companies to implement long-term initiatives. This includes integrating inclusive recruitment strategies, maintaining continuous training programs, and adopting flexible support policies.
Companies need to look beyond immediate gains and understand that investing in older workers brings long-term value. Age diversity can lead to increased innovation and better decision-making due to a broader range of perspectives and experiences.
Organizations like GBA Impact Beyond Dialogue 2025 demonstrate the importance of developing comprehensive and integrated strategies that address the needs of older workers in all aspects of human resource management.
Moreover, the rebranding of HealthFind to AKG Health, including Jobs 22 and Learn Plus Us, is an example of consolidating efforts to offer more integrated and person-centered support. This harmonization creates synergies between different services, thus providing more comprehensive and coherent assistance to older workers.
To encourage companies to adopt such initiatives, it is important to demonstrate tangible benefits through successful case studies and positive participant feedback. This can motivate other organizations to follow suit and invest in sustainable and inclusive policies.
