Member Article

65% over 50s would work for free

65 per cent of unemployed over 50s would work for free

• As unemployment figures show over 50s unemployment at 428,000

London, March 14th:65 per cent of unemployed over 50s would be willing to work for free, according to new research conducted by skilledpeople.com, the online recruitment service that matches experienced candidates, typically aged over 50, with SMEs.

In a sample survey of 441 registered candidates, the site found that there was significant willingness to undertake work experience for no pay, other than expenses, to help secure new employment.

Over three quarters (75.5 per cent) of those surveyed also agreed that they would accept a lower salary than they had earned in the past, to secure a new full-time or part-time job.

The research is published as the latest unemployment figures show:

• There are currently 428,000 unemployed in the over 50s group
• This a rise of 2,000 from last month’s figures
• The total number of over 50s out of work up to six months (recently unemployed) is up by 8,000 people since last month
• The unemployment rate remains at 4.9 per cent

Skilledpeople.com’s Chairman, David Hiddleston, commented:

“It is indicative of the very deep frustration felt by over 50s in this country that, even with their skills and experience, most of our respondents – a staggering 65 per cent - would work for free.

“Graduate training schemes and youth internships abound, as the country wrings its hands in dismay at youth unemployment, but what of the forgotten over 50s?

“As today’s figures show, more must be done to help Britain’s unemployed over 50s, the figure for those made redundant in the last six months has risen, meaning more and more baby boomers are losing their jobs.”

Skilledpeople.com is an initiative by two retired individuals who have realised that the skills of the over 50s can be put to immense use to successfully satisfy the needs of SMEs and start-ups.

The site offers an innovative ‘Project Assignment’ service, which allows small companies to think big with a small budget, by employing experts at a fixed modest cost. Experienced candidates, typically aged over 50, undertake short term business assignments, enabling SMEs to develop at a faster rate and lower cost.

ENDS

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Eimear .