The National Assembly for Wales’s Enterprise and Business Committee undertook an inquiry into employment opportunities for people over 50.

Terms of reference

• The barriers that face people over 50 trying to re-enter the labour market
• The extent of age-discrimination and its impact on the recruitment of people over 50
• Whether there are any disadvantages to people over 50 re-entering the labour market
• The effectiveness of the Welsh Government’s Strategy for Older People in Wales 2013-23 in assisting people over 50 into work
• The support that is most effective for people over 50 trying to re-enter the labour market (particularly programmes and projects).

As part of these terms of reference, the Committee considered:

• The availability and suitability of local job opportunities
• The need for relevant support and skills training
• Transport difficulties, including availability and cost (especially in rural areas)
• Lack of confidence (for example, following redundancy)
• Assisting and supporting people with additional challenges (for example, those with a disability)
• Potential barriers to people over 50 accessing employment owing to caring responsibilities (for example, caring for elderly parents)
• The role of people over 50 in mentoring younger workers and passing on their skills and knowledge
• How people over 50 re-entering the labour market can affect the number of jobs and career progression opportunities available to younger workers
• Assisting those from areas of high unemployment
• The impact and value-for-money of European funding.

Evidence from the Public

The Committee held a public consultation to gather evidence on this topic.