How to ‘unretire’ and use your knowledge and skills to help train younger staff

MOST firms measure their “return on investments”, known as ROI, but does your company measure “return on experience?”

ROE is a new phrase coined to explain the value added by older workers, by sharing their skills and helping train younger staff.

With the axing of winter fuel payments and the pension age rising to 67 from 2026, more pensioners are having to go back to work to top up their incomes.

But this “unretirement” has also led to mature staff offering their advice and wisdom to millennial and Gen Z employees.

The latest figures from the Office of National Statistics show the number of over-65s in employment has almost tripled since 2000, with 1.4million — equivalent to one in nine older people — now working. Just like Bob Lawrence, 72 at B&Q.

As a result, increasing numbers of firms are now actively seeking to build “inter-generational workforces” to capitalise on ROE, with hotel chain Hilton recently launching a recruitment drive to target over-50s.

Lyndsey Simpson, founder of 55/Redefined said: “Many people lack purpose in retirement and are keen to be productive, work and learn new skills. This is driving a huge wave of older adults coming back to their previous profession on a more flexible or part-time basis, or applying for roles to do something completely new.”

Many older workers are still seeking to expand their skillset, either taking on a new second career in a different industry or doing an apprenticeship, most of which are open to any age.

Firms including B&Q, Govia Thameslink and British Gas have all hired apprentices in their 60s and 70s.

While workers aged 65 and above mostly work part-time, a growing number are going full-time employment beyond the state pension age.

Dr Karen Hancock of the Centre for Ageing Better, said: “Workers with up to 50 years of workplace experience have an incredible wealth of knowledge to share.” Find out more at 55redefined.co and restless.co.uk.

IMPRESS A.I. WITH YOUR CV

MOST firms now use AI to screen job applicants, so how can you stand out?

Aarti Uplenchwar, at software firm Workday, knows. She says: “Your CV is still the most important tool.”

Here are her CV tips . . . 

• Tailor it to the job: This may be time-consuming but is essential.
• More is not always better: Consider what experience you do and do not include, and which skills and certifications. Address what the employer wants, as they may use AI to look for specific skills.
• Make your skills shine: Organisations are shifting from a focus on job experience to looking at skills, so put these at the top of your CV. Create a section below your profile, then also highlight what skills you gained in your experience section – maybe problem-solving or creativity. The employer may have used AI to find the skills they need.
• Be specific about achievements: Keep them brief but detailed enough to showcase the problem you solved and how. You could say how much you increased revenue, or cut costs.
• Show personality: Hobbies and interests are key here. Sport, for example, suggests you may be good at teamwork, as well as healthy.
• Make your CV easy to read: Ensure it is clearly laid out. Whether a human will be looking over it, or AI, it must be easy to scan.

KNOW YOUR HEART

ONE patient every five minutes is hospitalised with a heart attack – and employer support is vital to recovery.

This Sunday is World Heart Day and Travelodge manager Mark Wenlock has told how the hotel chain helped him after a recent triple heart bypass op.

He said: “I was itching to get back to work but they wouldn’t hear of me returning early. My manager visited me in hospital and the team got someone in to cover my role. They were world-class.”

Now he is campaigning to raise awareness. He said: “If any-thing feels out of the ordinary around the chest, get checked.”

Travelodge staff have raised over £970,000 for the British Heart Foundation, and rolled out the charity’s CPR training tool RevivR.

See bhf.org.uk/revivr