Charity CXK, through its National Careers Service programme, has launched the ‘Fuller Working Lives’ project across Kent, East Sussex and Essex; a project designed to target and educate businesses about how to support the over-50s to remain in the workforce.
Established by the Department for Work and Pensions, in partnership with the South-East Local Enterprise Partnership and the National Careers Service, the scheme offers a free service to local businesses to explore how the National Careers Service could provide employers with careers and skills advice to help with plans to retain, retrain and recruit older workers.
As part of the service, employers are offered an on-site visit to discuss how the National Careers Service can help them to manage and skill an ageing workforce. In addition, participating employees will be provided with in-depth information, advice and guidance sessions on a variety of subjects, including a skills health check; mid-life career review and exploration of options; information about short courses/units; and information about Apprenticeships, including Higher Apprenticeships. The service supports businesses and older workers to explore flexible working approaches and practices that encourage retention, in-work progression, improved work-life balance and improved productivity.
Debbie Lloyd, Assistant Director of Career Management at CXK, the charity which delivers the National Careers Service throughout Kent, East Sussex and Essex, said;
“As the UK workforce ages and fewer young people enter the labour market, employers will increasingly need to rely on the skills and experience of older workers if they are to remain competitive, increase productivity and growth, and avoid skills shortages in the future.
“In addition, working longer can improve the health and wellbeing of individuals and bring the benefits of a multi-generational workforce to businesses. The Fuller Working Lives project aims to address these needs, and to help employers to best support their older workers.”
CXK delivers The National Careers Service and the Fuller Working Lives project across Kent, East Sussex and Essex. If you are an employer looking to get involved, you can contact CXK directly on 01233 224244, or via email: nationalcareers@cxk.org
About CXK
CXK Ltd is a charitable organisation delivering a range of services across Kent, Sussex and Essex to support young people and families in maximising their potential. In particular, the charity provides its beneficiaries with the bespoke advice, guidance, skills and confidence they need to help them to progress into education, employment and training.