Your situation
Advice for older workers
As an older worker, you will have a wealth of skills and experience at your fingertips. This section includes advice on making the most of that experience, whether you're looking for a different job or want to learn something new.
Looking for work
If you're out of work, whether voluntarily or through redundancy, it can take time to find another job, regardless of your age. However, your years of experience in the workplace is highly valuable and you can use your knowledge and skills to find employment. Jobcentre Plus provides help and advice on jobs and training for people who can work.
If you're facing redundancy or have been recently laid off, visit our section on redundancy for practical help and advice on planning your next steps forward.
There are many opportunities to get involved in volunteering whether you are working or retired. As well as the more common options, such as community projects, caring and retail charity work, you could think about mentoring and coaching.
Using your experience to help others is an excellent way to pass on your knowledge and allows other people to develop their potential. It also helps you to build up your confidence, improve your network of contacts and offers a rewarding outlet for your skills.
Mentoring can be used in many different circumstances, from supporting young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, helping prisoners on release, to providing advice to people starting up their own business. Visit the organisations below for more details about mentoring and coaching.
It is unlawful for employers to discriminate against you on the grounds of age in all areas of employment, including recruitment, promotion, training, dismissal and retirement. For example, your pay and benefits must be based on your skills and not linked to your age.
If you feel you have been discriminated against, you can take up your case with your employer, union or an independent organisation like ACAS. Visit the ACAS website for more detailed information on age discrimination regulations.
You can take up learning at any stage in life but it is often more rewarding and enjoyable when you're older because you've usually chosen to do it rather than had to.
From digital photography to languages, from creative writing to family history, the list of things you can learn is endless. With so many course providers and different ways to learn, the hardest thing is often trying to decide which course you should do first.
