Successful event held in Coleraine to promote recruitment of those aged 50+ during Positive Ageing Month.
Mon, October 17, 2022
Employers from across the Causeway Coast and Glens area gathered recently to explore opportunities to recruit people over the age of 50 to their business.
The event was part of a series organised by the Labour Market Partnership in collaboration with Age Friendly Causeway to celebrate Positive Ageing Month in October and was part funded by the Department for Communities through their Labour Market Partnership Programme.
Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey said: "Age should not be a barrier to employment opportunities. Our over 50s have a wealth of knowledge and life experiences which they can bring to any organisation.
“In marking Active Ageing Month I am delighted that my Department’s Labour Market Partnership Initiative is focusing on our older workers who are a substantial asset to our community.
“We know that when people find engaging work, it helps with self-esteem and they live fuller lives. Local employers will also benefit widely from the contribution that older workers can make.” Attendees heard from a range of speakers, including local businesses, on the advantages of employing those aged 50+.
Opening the event, the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Councillor Ivor Wallace said: “It is great to see businesses and employers engaging in Positive Ageing Month.
“We have an older population in our Borough and helping them to fill local job vacancies would be beneficial for local people and for local businesses alike.”
Causeway Coast and Glens Labour Market Partnership Manager, Marc McGerty, added: “Demographically, our population is getting older and the impact of this will be an older customer base as well as older employees. This provides an opportunity for local businesses.
“Staff aged over 50 have excellent life skills which transfer directly into the workplace, and they can offer greater expertise, knowledge, and abilities which they have built up from years of experience. As well as this, they are typically more reliable, flexible, and committed with studies demonstrating lower levels of short-term absenteeism.”
Platinum Care was among the employers who took part in the event. Reflecting on the experience of recruiting older people, Sylvia Sampson said: “We have found that employing people who are 50+ has really helped us to retain a very capable, reliable, and caring workforce which adds value to the business and increases the quality of the services that we provide.”
Liam Hinphey, Age-Friendly Coordinator for Causeway Coast and Glens, added, “We are delighted to include this event for employers in our programme as we mark Positive Ageing Month in Causeway Coast and Glens.
“With a projected decrease in working age population, actively targeting people who are 50 and over will be an essential recruitment tactic in the years ahead.
“Causeway Coast and Glens area has one of the oldest populations across the UK and Ireland and with this trend set to continue, working with the Labour Market Partnership to promote recruitment and retention of people aged 50+ will be a key part of our Age-Friendly Programme.”
The event was part funded by the Department for Communities through its Labour Market Partnership Programme.
Throughout October, the Labour Market Partnership will hold several events which aim to promote employment opportunities for those aged 50 plus throughout the Borough.
To find out more about these and other LMP initiatives please email us on: lmp@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk.
For more information on the Age Friendly Programme and Positive Ageing Month visit https://www.causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk/live/age-friendly/positive-ageing-month
