Age at Work Scotland

We are all living for longer, which means that the majority of us are likely to be working for longer too. In Scotland, one third of the workforce is aged 50 or over and by 2023, half of all adults in the UK will be over 50 years old.

In organisations across Scotland and the UK, customers and the workforce are ageing. So, recruiting, retaining and retraining older individuals in the workplace is essential for businesses and the wider economy.  Businesses need to take action now to prevent early exit from the workplace, support later life working and make the most of benefits of intergenerational workplaces.

Business in the Community Scotland, in partnership with Age Scotland (and counterparts in Northern Ireland and Wales), is delivering the Age at Work Programme, funded by the National Lottery Community Fund.

We can support businesses to create workplaces where older workers can thrive.

About the Age at Work programme

Age at Work will support older workers (50+) to remain in or return to work in order to help them have enough income, stay connected and have a fuller working life. The programme aims to:

  • Raise awareness of the impact of an ageing workforce and the need for an age-inclusive agenda in government, business and wider society
  • Encourage and support businesses to be more age-inclusive in recruiting, retaining and retraining older workers
  • Support more older workers to remain or return to work

All aspects of the Age at Work programme are free of charge to all businesses and individuals. The programme offers a range of resources and tools to help support businesses and individuals to become more age inclusive.

Key activities

As well as raising awareness of an ageing workforce, the Age at Work programme in Scotland offers support for both businesses and individuals who are over 50 years old.

Offers for businesses

Still Ready for Work Programme

These online workshops support individuals 50+ who wish to return to work or explore a role in a different business. Individuals have the opportunity to participate in short online workshops to increase confidence in exploring and preparing for the current job market. If your organisation would like to deliver an online workshop in partnership with Business in the Community, please contact Age at Work Scotland Programme Manager Anna Savage, or complete the form at the bottom of this page.

Support for individuals

Still Ready for Work programme

Click here to see or sign up to one or more of our upcoming workshops.

Business in the Community Scotland’s programme of online workshops support individuals 50+ who wish to return to work or explore a role in a different business. Individuals have the opportunity to participate in short online workshops to increase confidence in exploring and preparing for the current job market. Online workshops cover the following topics – Skills Assessment, Job search in the digital age, Creating a social media profile (Linked In), CVs and applications and Interview skills.

Coffee & Job Club

Looking for a job can be a lonely business. People aged 50+ who are facing redundancy, currently unemployed or looking at a new career are invited to join this informal, drop-in style online group where they can share experiences, learn from others and get tips, advice and support from friendly BITC staff and others in the same boat. The Club helps people seeking work to stay encouraged and confident to help them achieve their job goals.

Coffee & Job Club meetings take place every Wednesday 10:00 am to 11:00 am and you’re welcome to stay for the duration, or drop in when suits. Please contact age@bitc.org.uk to register and you’ll receive a secure Zoom joining link.

Please click on the region below to find out what support is available in your area, and how we can help.

Age at Work is not delivered in England by Business in the Community, but we can support your business to respond to our ageing population and the needs of older workers in other ways. Learn more about Business in the Community’s work on age nationally.