Employability for the over-50s

Launched in 2017 ReStart targets over-50s who have been unemployed for between six months and a year.

Through online workshops, digital modules, mentoring by A&O volunteers and one to one coaching by professional coaches from the Executive Coaching Consultancy, participants are supported to rediscover strengths and to build the knowledge, skills and confidence to help them get back into work.

ReStart supports people from any background or profession, particularly those who have a fresh outlook on their future employment and would consider changing roles or industries.

‘The Missing Million’ – why focus on older generations?

 According to the Centre for Aging Better, one in three workers in the UK are now aged 50 or over. It is also estimated that half of all UK adults will be 50 years old or older by 2035.

With an aging population, long-term unemployment in the over-50s age group is an issue of growing concern in the UK for the impact it will have on individuals and their families. This barrier to employment is most difficult for those individuals aged over-50 who are from lower-socioeconomic backgrounds.

According to a Business in the Community (BITC) report - 'The Missing Million'- there are 3.3 million economically inactive people in the UK aged 50-64. In response to this, BITC has been working hard with responsible businesses to get one million more older workers into employment by 2022. In doing so, BITC estimates that over GBP 80billion could be added to the UK economy by keeping the over-50s age group in employment.

Workplace diversity

The difficulty for those over the age of 50 to get back into work after a period of long-term unemployment is a significant barrier to social mobility.

ReStart is a skills development and mentoring programme which helps minimise the impact long-term unemployment has on individuals and their families.*

ReStart extends A&O's long-running social mobility work with Smart Start and PRIME and complements our wider workplace diversity programmes.

ReStart is an annual programme and the application window to participate in ReStart 2021 is now closed.

Please take a moment to read our privacy policy.

^{*Please note that ReStart is not an apprenticeship nor a guarantee of employment.}