Response To The Chancellor’s pre budget statement

Improving Productivity and opportunities for all - Ageism Permeates Policy On Skills & Career Advice.

The Third Age Employment Network (TAEN) regrets that the Chancellor does not see Skills Strategy as a lifelong affair. Without that our response to the UK’s low productivity, growing skills gaps and shortages will fall short.

Commenting on the Chancellor’s statement, Patrick Grattan the Chief Executive of TAEN said,

A 50-year-old view of demographics and working life permeates policy on skills and career advice. Even after today’s statement nearly all publicly funded training opportunities and careers advice is focused on 16 to 24 year olds. This is no longer the way to capitalise on the skills of all citizens - whatever their age and circumstances.

Good career guidance and training throughout working lives is a precondition of employment choice, opportunities for all and improved productivity.

One small example is Modern Apprenticeships. In the summer the age ceiling of 25 was removed. In practice this meant raising the ceiling to 27. Why is it not just as relevant to do an apprenticeship at 35, 45 or 55?