The South West Opportunities for Older People (SWOOP) project focuses on helping older workers in southwest England remain economically active. SWOOP provides services like information, advice, guidance, training, coaching and help finding work. It targets both individuals aged 45+ and employers. By the end of 2006, SWOOP had helped 254 beneficiaries, most over age 50. Findings showed that older workers valued career advice and that age discrimination and poor job hunting skills remained issues. Employers were often compliant with age discrimination law but had not changed practices and still preferred younger workers due to stereotypes.

1. South West Opportunities for Older People - Age & Employability Lindsey St. John - Project Director

2. The South West

3. Profile of SW England Population of nearly 5 million Higher proportion of residents over 50 + than other UK regions Increasing faster through inward migration (45% by 2024) 73% 50-65 yr in work (30% of SW working population) 11% over 65 Combination of urban & rural areas Many small and micro business Low reported unemployment

4. Rises in employment rate

5. Decline in unemployment

6. Little change in inactivity in SW

7. Reasons for inactivity

8. Objectives of SWOOP Focus on Age & Employability (45+) Over 20 partners involved in £2.5m funded project interested in the economy, productivity, jobs, older people Anticipating effects of demographic change on a region Looking at sustainable options – infrastructure development & programmes Keeping people in work or helping them back to work Creating employment opportunities – self employment and start up Raising issue with employers – trying to effect change in attitude and behaviour Work with key regional agencies Learn from Europe - 2 transnational partnerships

9. SWOOP : Helping older workers become or remain economically active Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) Personal development, coaching, training Employment advice & guidance Interview training Application & CV writing Work experience/voluntary placements Self employment & business start up Health & wellbeing

10. SWOOP Activities- Employers & employer agents Awareness raising (workshops) Age Legislation – information & advice (helplines) HR processes – Recruitment & selection; staff training; promotion; succession planning; revitalisaition; flexible working; retirement planning Age positive practice Workforce planning/LMI

11. Findings from SWOOP - Individuals By 31 st December 2006 254 beneficiaries in total 191 aged over 50, 63 aged 40-50 31% no qualifications, 22% qualified at level 4-5 30% have been unemployed for over 3 years Value of IAG for older people – in work & out of work Inability to adequately represent skills, knowledge & experience Discrimination V poor job hunting skills? Quality of jobs is an issue Stereotypes still persist Self employment/start up is important Greater flexibility is needed

12. Findings from SWOOP - Employers Compliance with law rather than a change of practice Have responded negatively in some respects to the new law Have not grasped implications of demographic change Persist with desire to recruit young workers, although may value the older workers they have Stereotypes persist Intermediaries have a key role to play in encouraging employment & training

13. Thank You! Contact us at: www.swoop-project.org.uk