Centre for Ageing Better responds to Government's Industrial Strategy

We need an industrial strategy that supports everyone to continually develop their skills, keep abreast of new technology and contribute their knowledge and experience over a much longer working life.

The Centre for Ageing Better urges Government to work alongside employers to make lifelong learning a reality. Less than 5% of adult education funding goes to people over 50. Opportunities for learning and career development need to be made available to everyone if we want to see the high skilled workforce that the strategy requires.

Working longer creates opportunities to work differently – more flexibly, and with more scope to fit learning, caring and other activities in as part of a longer working life. Technology can enable these new, more flexible ways of working, but it can also put workers at the mercy of technology. People over 50 are more likely to have caring responsibilities or health conditions, and have much to gain from flexible working, but they are also most at risk and more likely to feel insecure at work. The Government needs to help people manage the impacts of automation, for example by supporting career changes and reskilling at any stage of life, and providing for secure rights and entitlements as people move from job to job.

In partnership with Business in the Community, the Government’s Business Champion for Older Workers, we’re supporting employers to understand the business case for age friendly approaches and the practical steps they can take. The Centre for Ageing Better urges Government to keep working with employers to develop secure, good quality jobs for people throughout their careers, enable flexible working that fits around the worker (rather than the other way round) and provide the support and advice people need to navigate the changing world of work over their lifetime.

Through our work in Greater Manchester, we’re finding that people in their 50s face huge challenges in getting back into employment – and even when they can find a job, it is often low paid and insecure. Many people over 50 are choosing self-employment as the ‘least worst’ option. We welcome the Government’s commitment to promoting growth across the whole country and supporting entrepreneurship. We urge the Government to take action to boost local economies and support self-employed people to learn and save, and to work with employers to ensure that recruitment, line management and progression opportunities are equitable and open to all, so that those who want to work can find decent jobs, regardless of age.

The Industrial Strategy sets out a new vision for the economy. Now is the time for the Government to ensure that this new economy helps us all to continue working, learning and thriving as we age.