Ruby Wax to headline Age Inclusion Conference

Three Nations Conference to put age inclusion on business and government agenda.

A third of all workers in the UK are now aged 50 or over, and by 2030 half of all adults will be over 50.

Potential £88 billion boost to UK GDP if older workers were able to stay in work for longer.

Age Scotland, together with Business in the Community (BITC) and with support from The National Lottery Community Fund will be part of a three nations Age at Work conference, which will take place online on 9 March with participants from Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

The conference aims to put age inclusion firmly on the agenda for businesses and government. A third of all workers in the UK are now aged 50 or over, and by 2030 half of all adults will be over 50. With this ageing population, the Age at Work conference will focus on the rights of older workers and the value and benefits of age inclusion for individuals, businesses and society.

The conference’s keynote speaker is mental health campaigner, broadcaster and best-selling author Ruby Wax, OBE. Using her education in psychology and psychotherapy, Ruby now teaches business communication in the public and private sector. She will share her optimistic outlook on how businesses that value people of all ages hold a key to success.

The Age at Work event will showcase the success of the first three years of an innovative ‘Age at Work’ programme, which is funded by The National Lottery Community Fund across Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, through the experiences of businesses and individuals who have benefitted from it. It will provide essential insights from participants to anyone interested in recruiting, retaining and re-training people over the age of 50.

Alan Thornburrow, BITC Scotland Director said, “Attitudes towards older workers urgently need to be reframed. Scotland is a progressive nation which values fairness and inclusion. Not only is it right to take advantage of the wealth of talent to be found in the over 50 workforce it makes good business sense too. Business in the Community’s UK-wide research into the ‘Missing Million’ states that there could be a potential £88 billion boost to the UK GDP if older workers were able to stay in work for longer.

“Prior to the pandemic, more than 72% of people in the UK aged 50-64 were in employment and one in 10 people aged 65 and over were still working. With the ever-increasing state pension age, businesses can do more to retain and value their older workers.

“The impact of COVID has been greater on this older workforce than on those in middle age groups, with the over 50s experiencing the highest rise in redundancy rates. We also know that older people who become unemployed are more likely to be at risk of long-term unemployment than younger people.

“Businesses have an important part to play in supporting older employees - for the benefit of both the organisation and the individual. There is so much knowledge and experience being lost when older workers, for whatever reason, leave the workforce. The Age at Work Programme is a great starting point to shift attitudes and awareness.”

Mike Douglas, Director of Social Enterprise at Age Scotland said: “Older workers are a vital part of the economy in Scotland. A third of Scottish workers are aged over 50 and this is projected to rise to 50% by 2030. For organisations to thrive, they need to adapt to the challenges that increased longevity brings.

“Age Scotland is well established in providing support to organisations across a number of areas including age inclusion, health & wellbeing and retirement. By taking action now, organisations can ensure they are supporting their older workers and retaining their vital skills for longer.”

Kate Beggs, The National Lottery Community Fund, Northern Ireland Director said: “We are delighted to fund this conference and to have supported this important project. It has made a real impact across the countries so far, helping older people develop new skills and supporting businesses to be more age inclusive, and we look forward to seeing what the next two years will bring. This conference is an excellent opportunity to evaluate and plan for the future, by hearing first-hand from those who have benefitted from it. Thanks to National Lottery players, over £30 million is raised each week for good causes like this, across the UK.”

For information and booking for this FREE online conference on 9 March 2022, visit https://app.forumm.events/events/AgeAtWork or Anna Savage, anna.savage@bitc.org.uk, 07715612758.