Millions of older people have either lost their job or are struggling to find work in the wake of the pandemic. With furlough now over, many will face tough competition as employers target younger people.
David Wallace’s career suddenly came to a halt when he turned 50. “I joined the army straight from school. I also worked as a driver for G4S, delivered luxury cars, and had a number of management roles. The idea of not being able to find work seemed ridiculous, but that changed as I got older.”
David, 51, from Broxburn, Edinburgh, was made redundant twice in two years, and a combination of his age and the pandemic made the jobs market an unforgiving place. “I’d had enough of feeling dispensable and having no control over my working life,” he said.
This is a challenge many face as they get older, because the over 50s find it harder than to get back into the jobs market after being made redundant.
More than half of over 55s who would like to return to work do not believe they can do so, according to new research from retirement specialists Just Group.
Only 26 per cent of men were confident of finding a role, and that number fell to just 13 per cent for women.
Just Group’s Stephen Lowe said you would expect to see an increase in the number of older workers, with the State Pension age rising to 66.
Many will suffer severe hardship if they cannot find work at this age. “It is important that older groups are given the opportunities and support they need,” Lowe said.
David Wallace wasn’t giving up, though. “I couldn’t face being made redundant again and so took things into my own hands.”
He bounced back with a complete career change, launching his own specialist travel business Not Just Travel, planning holidays for the deaf and hearing impaired.
READ MORE: Furlough warning: Citizens Advice issues guidance on redundancy laws
In February, David spent £15,000 buying a travel franchise through The Travel Franchise. “It gave me everything I needed to set up my own travel consultancy from home – training, booking systems, a website head office support, ABTA & ATOL protections and a personal business mentor.”
His wife Carole works with a deaf charity in Scotland, and that gave him the idea to help plan dream holidays for deaf people, an often-overlooked community.
David promotes his holidays through the Facebook Live app, with his wife doing sign language in the background.
“I had two holiday enquiries arrive in my inbox the moment I finished my first ever Facebook Live, it was great.”
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Not Just Travel’s biggest booking to date was from a senior member of campaigning group Deaf Action. “I organised and booked a holiday of a lifetime to Orlando, Florida, for him and five members of his family.”
David has helped organise a honeymoon and various trips in the UK and abroad.
He said it’s great being your own boss rather than relying on others, and means he is no longer at the mercy of workplace ageism. “If my business succeeds, I never have to apply for a job again.”
Lockdown hit sales but now they are picking up as travel reopens. “The last few weeks have been especially busy with both last-minute deals and holidays into 2022,” David adds.
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