Many older workers will be forced to navigate the end of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, or furlough as it is commonly known, today after over a year of formal support. The Government is now focusing on its Plan for Jobs to help promote job retention, solid roles, and help those who are not currently employed. However, one expert has issued a warning about how the end of the scheme will affect those who are slightly older in the workforce in terms of their security.
City and Guilds has urged employers to recognise the value and potential of older workers following the end of formal Government support measures brought in to help during the pandemic.
A failure to do so, it has argued, risks a whole generation of British workers being permanently “left behind”.
Kirstie Donnelly, CEO of City & Guilds, said: “As furlough comes to an end on September 30, 1.6 million people will either be coming back into the workplace or finding themselves unemployed.
“Whilst interventions have been put into place for unemployed younger people during the pandemic sadly there are still few safety nets in place for older workers who suddenly find themselves out of work.
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“Workers over the age of 50 represent a third of our workforce, and have a wealth of knowledge, skills, and experience that could be used to fill vital roles in society in the years ahead.
“However, with data highlighting that these workers are most at risk of losing their jobs and with many already struggling to re-enter the workplace, urgent action is needed to ensure we don’t throw a generation of older workers on the scrapheap when they still have much to contribute.”
The recent Skills Index research undertaken by City and Guilds, pointed towards “chronic under-investment” when it comes to training workers who are older and more experienced within their field.
Therefore, the organisation has urged action from both employers and Government to recognise the value and potential of older workers.
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It hopes to see further opportunities available for Britons to be able to update their skills to suit the workplace and assist in their employability.
Ms Donnelly added: “Whilst the Chancellor is hoping to prevent a spike in joblessness with his Plans for Jobs, these measures are heavily geared towards the young, and more is needed from the UK Government to stem unemployment amongst older workers.
“In the months ahead, more needs to be done to make better use of the apprenticeship system to support older workers as well as introducing them to solutions such as ‘skills bridges’ that help people to update their skills and move into sectors with high demand.”
According to research undertaken by the Resolution Foundation, close to one million individuals are thought to remain on the scheme as it comes to an end today.
However, furlough has been widely hailed as a success, as it has covered the wages of over 11 million people throughout the pandemic.
It is hoped that as businesses get back on their feet as restrictions have lifted, there will be more opportunities for employment.
But nonetheless, some forecasters have said they expect somewhat of a rise in unemployment as the scheme finishes.
A Government spokesperson told Express.co.uk: “Our £400billion Plan for Jobs is working – nearly two million fewer people are now expected to be out of work than was previously feared.
“Furlough was the right thing to do to protect almost 12 million jobs when covid was at its peak, but now restrictions have eased, people are returning to work, and the scheme is naturally winding down, with 194,000 more people aged 50-64 on payrolls compared to a year ago.
“We’re doubling down on our plan as the economy rebounds.
“We’re refocusing our support on giving people of all ages the skills and opportunities they need to get back into work, progress and earn more, including older workers through our 50 Plus: Choices offer.”
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