Employers across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly are being invited to an online event next week about how they can support the over-50s in the workplace with a ‘Mid-Life MOT’.

Older workers are a key resource for any business, bringing a wealth of experience and knowledge which business owners need and value. This event will help businesses to consider what they can do to support their staff by working together to review their health, skills needs and financial options, while helping employees plan for a good retirement in the future.

The event will include a range of experts discussing the support available to employers to create the right environment to begin these discussions, and to support their older workers to make informed choices. It will be attended by Minister for Pensions and Financial Inclusion, Guy Opperman MP who is a great supporter of the project.

It has been organised by the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) as part of a ‘Mid-Life MOT’ pilot project with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to help employees stay in work, remain productive and as a result achieve a more secure retirement.

The LEP is one of just ten across England to receive funding from the DWP to run the pilot project.

Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly already have one of the highest proportions of older workers in the UK and the over-50s are at a higher risk of experiencing long-term unemployment, something which has been exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic.

Clare Harris, skills lead for the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly LEP, said: “Many businesses we have spoken to are looking at how they can better support their older workers. This event will help them to find out more about creating the right environment to capture the benefits of a mature workforce, while helping their employees plan for the future.

“We’re delighted that the Minister will be joining us for what promises to be an informative and practical online session.”

Mid-Life MOT online event for employers is on Tuesday April 20 from 2pm to 3.30pm and is free.

Click here to register.