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Older
Workers Being Offered Courses.
Scotland has an increasingly ageing population, so
older people will form an increasingly large and
important part of our workforce
over the coming decades.
 A
new Executive initiative which aims to help older workers develop and
improve their employability
skills was today launched by Deputy Enterprise and Lifelong Learning
Minister Allan Wilson.
Experience Counts – backed by £500,000 funding – has been set up in
partnership with the Skills for Business Network in Scotland and recognises
the increasingly significant role that people over 50 play in Scotland’s
workforce.
It will see older workers being offered courses in areas like communication,
team working and customer care.
Mr Wilson said:
“Scotland has an increasingly ageing population, so older people will form
an increasingly large and important part of our workforce over the coming
decades.
“There are currently more than 620,000 people aged 50 and over in employment
in Scotland. This represents over a quarter of our total workforce. Research
also shows that 70 per cent of the workforce in 2020 is already in
employment today.
“As a result, we must encourage employers to engage more effectively with
older workers and ensure that they are provided with the skills they need to
continue to play a productive role in Scotland’s economy.
“Through Experience Counts, older people will have access to training
opportunities which give them greater confidence and better equip them to
carry out their job. This might include courses in communication skills,
customer care or problem solving.
“Older people can bring valuable experience and talent to the workplace. By
tapping into this vital resource and addressing the skills needs of this
important section of our workforce, we can help Scotland’s economy to grow.”
CASE STUDY:
Gordon Kinnes (64), foreman for UPM Tilhill forestry company, Dunblane.
After many years working in the ‘tractor seat’ in the felling side of the
industry, Gordon decided five years ago to train to become a surveyor and
supervisor for powerline clearing.
With the support of his employer, he undertook stringent training and
assessment for the required electrical industry certificates for powerline
working.
Following the completion of current powerline works, he is now working as a
general forestry works foreman, and hopes to learn new computing skills in
the near future.
Gordon said:
“I was a self-employed contractor for many years, and took a job with UPM
around eight years ago.
“My employers have been very supportive in encouraging me to take part in
training and learn new skills. The main benefit of this has been in
improving my self-confidence to do my job.
“I would encourage other older workers to find out about the opportunities
that are available to them.”
Vaughan Hammond, District Manager for UPM Tilhill, and Gordon’s employer,
said:
“Gordon has a wealth of knowledge gained through many years of experience.
To be able to train him on how to pass this on would be of tremendous
benefit to Tilhill, and ensure that this knowledge is not
lost to the industry.
“By providing opportunities to gain new skills, people like Gordon may see
new avenues opened up for them.”
Notes:
1. Training courses will be provided by employer-led Sector Skills Councils
(SSCs) in collaboration with further education colleges. The Skills for
Business Network in Scotland is a network of Sector Skills Councils which
are employer-led organisations set up to identify and tackle industry skills
needs.
2. Three SSCs have taken part in a pilot phase of the programme: Lantra,
which represents land-based industries; Skillsmart, which covers the retail
sector and Skills for Logistics, which covers the freight logistic
industries.
3. The Executive is making £500,000 available until 2007/08 for Experience
Counts. Sector Skills Councils are invited to submit applications for this
funding, and can get more information, including an application form, from
the Scottish Executive website at:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Education/Funding-Support-Grants/19379/18620
Contact: Claire Delaney – 0131 244 2547
News Release: NREL
Internet:
www.scotland.gov.uk
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