A FREE age-friendly employment workshop to help companies recruit and retain older workers is being held in Malvern.
It is hoped the session at The Council Chamber, Avenue Road, between 2pm and 5pm next Monday, March 21, will help close the skills gap.
Malvern Hills District Council is working with award-winning consultancy Cherington HR, to deliver the workshop to help businesses introduce age-friendly working practices.
Older workers are the fastest growing part of the workforce and recruiting and retaining them has many benefits.
Age-friendly policies help companies benefit from older workers’ experience and skills and also help their staff to balance caring responsibilities, personal health circumstances or make a phased transition to retirement.
The workshops are run by Helen Astill, well-known to many business leaders in the region as a member of the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce.
Those attending will be given a free resource pack, and access to a comprehensive online resource hub, to help them develop an action plan and start making positive changes in their workplace.
They will also be offered free one-to-one follow-up meetings, either in person or by video conference, depending on their commitments, to provide additional support in implementing age-friendly policies.
There are 40 places available and companies can book a free place by contacting Helen directly on 0330 175 6204 or [email protected].
The workshops form part of the Wychavon and Malvern Hills Upskilling Project, which has been given £283,000 from the Government’s UK Community Renewal Fund.
Coun Daniel Walton, the council’s Executive Board Member for Economic Development and Tourism, said: “Everyone has a role to play in the workforce and we’re pleased to see the number of employers looking to review their practices and policies to ensure they’re giving employees of all ages a fair chance.”
Helen, workshop organiser and Director of Cherington HR Ltd, said: “Older workers have so much to offer that recruiting and retaining them has never been more important.
“I want to help local businesses adopt their own age-friendly working practices through a package of support, starting with these free workshops.”
Employers unable to attend either of the workshops are still welcome to access the free resources and one-to-one support by getting in touch with Helen.
Visit malvernhills.gov.uk/skills for more on the Upskilling Project.
