In yesterday’s Spring Budget, the Chancellor announced measures to encourage over-50s to return to work. Over 300,000 people opted to retire early during the pandemic, but with a skills shortage now being felt as the economy recovers, the Government is offering incentives for older workers to return.
A new ‘returnerships’ apprenticeship targeted at the over-50s will refine existing skills programmes to make them more accessible to older workers, giving them the skills and support they need to find a recognisable path back into work. These will operate alongside skills boot camps and sector-based work academies targeted at the over-50s.
Our Head of Employment Law, Matthew Ainscough said: “This is great news for older workers who may have taken time out for family reasons, ill health or because they wanted a career break, and have found it difficult to return to the workplace because their skills have gone stale, or their experience and knowledge is out of date.
“It is hoped that this initiative will give a boost to the economy and provide older workers with a valuable second chance.”