Making informed choices - Supporting learners at 50+ by unionlearn

Supporting Learners at 50+

Making informed choices

Supporting Learners at 50+ Making informed choices

Foreword Change in the workplace affects everyone and everyone needs support in managing change. Different age groups may have different needs regarding their future career development: learning new skills, refreshing old ones or combining personal aspirations with work. This guide maps information and advice to help those over 50 make informed choices about the next steps they are going to take. Longer experience of working life, family and financial situations make demands upon the 50+ age group but can also bring big changes. Change in the workplace, whether restructuring, redeployment or redundancy means some people have to rethink what they really want to do in the future and what kind of support they need to get there. Getting into learning, changing careers, looking for a new job, taking voluntary severance or redundancy, taking early retirement or volunteering to develop new skills are all possibilities. For support the obvious first port of call is the union rep, especially the union learning rep. The advice in this guide can help any age group but the topics were put together with the older workforce in mind. The guide draws from the experience built by unionlearnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Skills: Recession and Recovery project. This project emphasised that learning and skills open up opportunities for individuals and are at the very heart of the UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economic progress.

unionlearn learning and careers advice service

08000 92 91 90

Supporting Learners at 50+ Making informed choices

An asset in the workplace People aged 50+ are valuable members of the workforce, and contribute more to the economy than just their labour power. They bring experience, loyalty and achievement. Although demography shows that the proportion of the UK population over 50 will grow rapidly over the next few decades, at present people aged 50+ already represent almost 30 per cent of those who are now of working age and 26 per cent of those actually in work. By 2020 it is expected that nearly another five million people will be aged 50+ in the UK. The skills and experience accumulated over the years by an older workforce can be drawn on to help colleagues to do a task or improve skills developed from personal interests and hobbies. The skills of an older workforce should be acknowledged as real strengths that can contribute to the successful operation of companies and organisations in the private or the public sector.

(calls are free from landlines)

When businesses are going through a rough patch they consider restructuring but there are good reasons for keeping the more experienced workforce in their jobs. Their experience is valuable and has been gained in the workplace over a period of time. Age-positive retention initiatives and recruitment policies have been shown to cut recruitment costs by 50 per cent and to create a larger talent pool to fill skills shortages. Other surveys1 have found that workers aged 50+ have better attendance records and stay in the job for longer. B & Q found that the policy of employing workers aged 50+ reduced short-term absenteeism by 39 per cent in stores where age-positive recruitment practices were followed.

Domestic & General, 2006

www.unionlearn.org.uk/uladvice

Supporting Learners at 50+ Making informed choices

The union is there to help Unions fight to protect employment across the board and work to ensure the rights of workers are protected when employers begin to look for savings which affect staffing levels. Unions help individuals too to be pro-active and work out how best to retain their jobs as well as improve their prospects for the future. It would be wrong (and against the law) if workers aged 50+ were singled out for discriminatory treatment. It is unlawful for employers to identify workers by age when thinking about changes to working practices or about re-structuring. A union rep or shop steward will help to see that all workers are treated fairly in the workplace.

Unions can also help members with advice on money, tax, pensions and finance. This can include advice on: pension and retirement savings and investments insurance and protection mortgages and borrowings securing tax refunds cheap energy.

Visit the TUC website www.worksmart.org for information about age discrimination, or download a pdf “Age Discrimination at Work“ from the CAB website www.adviceguide.org.uk. Union learning reps (ULRs) can help with identifying skills and knowledge, recognising learning needs, finding learning opportunities, action planning and signposting to organisations with further advice. ULRs also have a good track record in supporting learners with brushing up reading, writing and maths. Union learning centres provided in workplaces offer access to information and advice, learning opportunities such as ICT, literacy and numeracy and other courses, and can give a boost to further learning. The union, ULR or unionlearn regional office can help find accessible learning centres nearby. If your union would like to set up a learning centre, download “A Guide to Setting up a Learning Centre”, provided by unionlearn in the South West www.unionlearn.org.uk/centres/learn-3931fo.cfm.

unionlearn learning and careers advice service

08000 92 91 90

Supporting Learners at 50+ Making informed choices

Employment equality legislation It used to be assumed that employment for men ended when they reached the age of 65 and for women at age 60. These have been known as the ‘default retirement ages’. Default retirement ages have now been abolished, and employers cannot presume that their employees will retire on reaching a certain age. In 2006 the Employment Equality (Age) Regulations came into force in the United Kingdom, prohibiting employers from unreasonably discriminating against employees on grounds of age. The Equality Act (2010) strengthened this legislation. Abolition of the default retirement age in 2011 means that people are able to carry on working for as long as they want to. There is, of course, no legal guarantee that it will be possible to work beyond 60 or 65 – but employers are not allowed to discriminate on the basis of age.

(calls are free from landlines)

At the same time, recruitment of new staff must be seen to be lawful. It is illegal to specify an age in adverts or job descriptions, as is making the possession of a particular qualification a requirement. To do so can be discriminatory unless its possession is essential for the job. Union representatives and ULRs need routinely to monitor their employer’s personnel practices and examine all stages of the recruitment process. Visit www.50plusworks.com/age-and-the-law for further information, or the Climbing Frame theme on Equality and Diversity www.climbingframe.unionlearn.org.uk.

www.unionlearn.org.uk/uladvice

Supporting Learners at 50+ Making informed choices

Know your strengths and make plans

The first positive step for anyone considering their future is to consider the particular skills and expertise that they can offer an employer, either current or prospective. How up-to-date are their skills? Are modern technology and ICT things they are comfortable with? Do they handle numbers confidently? Can they write English with clarity and precision? Are there new qualifications available in important areas of work that they lack?

It is important to find out what an individual’s strengths are and build on those. Think of what they enjoy doing in and out of work and whether there are doors waiting to be opened in new areas of interests. Maybe the person enjoys a hobby that has built up skills, for instance in managing projects or dealing with diverse groups of people? Or skills that have been developed by taking on a role in the union?

It is a good idea to draw up a personal strategy for learning that can serve members’ specific needs. It will mean identifying a current range of skills and experience – then considering how far they are relevant to the job market right now and in the future. A ULR can help with writing down the practical steps that are needed to improve a member’s prospects in the workplace. The unionlearn Learning and Careers Advice Service offers a useful ‘skills health check’ or skills and interests assessment tool on the website: www.unionlearn.org.uk/uladvice

Identifying strengths will help you when it is time to put together a CV or a job application. The union learning Climbing Frame has a learning theme about personal and professional development which allows ULRs to assist prospective learners to present their skills and to make a plan. Visit www.climbingframe.unionlearn.org.uk to use this resource.

unionlearn learning and careers advice service

08000 92 91 90

Supporting Learners at 50+ Making informed choices

Learn new skills Learning new skills and developing existing skills improves employability. There are many courses provided by colleges of further education and other providers for experienced workers looking to improve their skills. There are short courses of a few weeks’ duration, longer courses extending over a term or academic year, and distance-learning courses where adults can study online and are supported by experienced tutors that learners can communicate with by e-mail or telephone. Unionlearn Supporting Learners Guide 4 has a comprehensive list of questions to ask before enrolling on a course www.unionlearn.org.uk/ advice Once a course has been identified, employers can be approached to give time off, and support with course fees and any travel expenses. At the moment there is a statutory right to request time to train. This right applies to workplaces with 250 or more employees. Unions and ULRs can help to put requests in to an employer. More information on the right to request time to train can be found on the unionlearn website: www.unionlearn.org.uk/ righttorequesttraining If assistance from the employer proves impossible, personal investment in learning can be an option. Phone the unionlearn Learning and Careers Advice service, operated by the National Careers Service (NCS), free from a landline on 08000 92 91 90 or take a look at the website www.unionlearn.org.uk/ uladvice for information on funding sources such as bursaries, discounts and grants as well as loans that the learner would have to pay back eventually. Visit www.direct.gov.uk for further information. The final section of this guide refers to providers who can help learners at 50+ to find courses to suit them and their particular needs. Alternatively, a local college or adult education centre has advisers waiting to help on the phone or in person.

(calls are free from landlines)

Today most learning can be pursued via a variety of routes and in a way and at a speed that suits everyone and fits in with their availability to learn. E-learning or taking courses online is a flexible option for those who need to take time for learning to suit their own time tables or who have caring responsibilities. A first point of call should be a trade union learning centre. They can offer information and advice and taster sessions of courses to match learner needs and they can advise on tutoring and support arrangements learndirect courses can be studied online www.learndirect.co.uk or in learning centres. If you are interested in higher learning options, visit www.higherlearningatwork.org. There are, of course, other ways of learning outside the classroom. The following options are different from structured courses because learners do not get any tutor support, but for some people they are ideal: Books – there are many ‘how to’ books where learning can cover everything from computer skills to DIY. Audio tapes, CDs and DVDs – many people learn languages this way, although other common topics are management skills and personal development. Home computers – learn computer skills with a tuition manual, an on-screen tutorial or via the web. TV and radio – the BBC's Learning Zone or Open University programmes are an example. Online – find information, or log in to the Open University’s OpenLearn http://openlearn.open.ac.uk/ which offers free courses in a full range of topics from languages to business and finance, or the BBC www.bbc.co.uk/learning/adults/ All these can sow a seed and build up a thirst for further learning, either formally or informally.

www.unionlearn.org.uk/uladvice

Supporting Learners at 50+ Making informed choices

Improve your ICT skills Lack of confidence in skills like emailing, the internet and electronic messaging can be a barrier for both progression at work and looking for new employment. This can also put people off trying e-learning if they are not sure they will be able to manage it. Learning to use social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook is one way to get used to using computers and to keep up with friends and family too. After a few lessons with a trained instructor almost anyone can be tweeting and emailing within days, if not hours. The GO ON website is helpful with simple-to-follow advice about using a computer and the internet. This is the place to take your first steps online using the online basics course. You can register for online basics at www.unionlearn.org.uk/ict/learn-3729fo.cfm/formbuilder/36/p/1/online/1 You can also find some simple resources at the BBC webwise site: www.bbc.co.uk/webwise If buying a computer is a barrier to developing your IT skillls go to Get Online @ Home www.getonlineathome.org. ULRs can buy refurbished computers cheaply.

unionlearn learning and careers advice service

08000 92 91 90

Supporting Learners at 50+ Making informed choices

Employability and literacy, language and numeracy 'Employability' is hard to define. It includes flexibility and common sense. It covers basics like coping with numbers and writing, and using a computer. Literacy and numeracy skills are about reading, writing and communicating. If these essential skills are not in good order a person may encounter problems with filling out forms at work or when applying for jobs, accessing promotion or other opportunities. Numeracy skills are about understanding and using maths in everyday situations at work and at home. Brushing up maths skills can improve understanding of pay slips or tax or pension deductions and are also necessary in work tasks that include calculating customersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; change or figuring out costs and timings. These skills, previously known as Skills for Life, are known as now known as literacy, language and numeracy (LLN) and also include language skills for people whose first language is not English.

The Move On website www.move-on.org.uk has mini-tests which give an idea of current skills levels. The website also gives information on qualifications in literacy and numeracy. Another website worth looking into is the BBCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Skillswise www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/ that offers activities and games to help improve skills ranging from grammar to fractions and decimals. Updating these skills can broaden anyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life and is a great way to improve confidence and make preparations for the next career move. More website suggestions in the final section of this booklet section provide many specific contacts to get learners moving.

To build confidence with English and maths, ULRs and learning centres are there to help. ULRs can help find local learning opportunities and they can also help find out about accessing government-funded courses. There are courses on different levels, online and taught face to face, and helping a prospective learner to build an individual learning plan will help the learner decide what kind of course will suit them best. You can use the Skills for Life learning theme in the unionlearn Climbing Frame to find out more www.climbingframe.unionlearn.org.uk

(calls are free from landlines)

www.unionlearn.org.uk/uladvice

Supporting Learners at 50+ Making informed choices

Higher learning Higher learning is open to everyone, and it is never too late. The Open University is open access, which means that you do not need qualifications to make a start. Getting a higher education (HE) qualification can open up new career options, and broaden the options of people who already have relevant work experience but may have out-of-date or no qualifications. Universities such as the Open University or Birkbeck College University of London, have helped many generations of people discover new areas of study or complete courses for Continuing Professional Development (CPD). Both of these providers offer discounts for union members. Foundation degrees offer a mix of study and workplace learning, and can be studied at university or at a local college or in the workplace, on a full- or part-time basis. They have been designed with employers and are particularly suitable for working people who want to progress at work. As well as degrees, there are other advanced courses focused on the workplace, leading to Higher National Certificates (HNCs) and Diplomas (HNDs) which will offer incentives to employers to increase the skills of their workforce and be more competitive.

The recent announcements about increases in fees for students entering HE may have deterred many, but they should check with university admissions staff about what learners who are 50+ would be required to pay, as it may be considerably less than the fees that 18-year-olds will be charged. There is no age limit for the new part-time loans available, and anyone who has not already got a first degree or equivalent is eligible for a loan for higher learning. Unionlearn has produced a guide for trade unions on how to make the case to employers to get support for employees who want to progress to higher learning. It is called Higher Education at Work: making the case to employers. It can help workers themselves as well as assisting ULRs do their job effectively. www.unionlearn.org.uk/files/ publications/documents/187.pdf Visit the Higher Learning at Work site for information about what to learn, where to learn and how to fund your learning www.higherlearningat work.org

unionlearn learning and careers advice service

08000 92 91 90

Supporting Learners at 50+ Making informed choices

Staying with your current employer Everyone in the workplace should be thinking about the skills, knowledge and jobs their employer will be needing in the years ahead and explore the opportunities that exist to get the training that will help them to make a career move with their current employer. Prudent employers will benefit from investing in the enhanced skills of their existing workforce rather than bringing in new and untested staff. Am employer that offers training ensures that they keep talent in the business, planning ahead for the time when the large age group of the over 50s move on towards retirement on need to make time for other things in their lives such as caring responsibilities. It may be that employees would like to discuss more flexible arrangements, part-time working, flexi-time, job-sharing, working from home, or redeployment to a role that involves training, mentoring, supervision or other ways of passing on skills and knowledge.

Carers may have a legal right to request flexible working under the Work and Families Act 2006. The TUC Worksmart website has a useful page about flexible working for carers. www.worksmart.org.uk/rights/flexible_working The Working Families website has interactive guides and factsheets to help people to consider flexible arrangements: www.workingfamilies.org.uk

Flexible retirement All employers should recognise that a flexible approach to retirement will allow them to: retain key staff who have valuable skills and expertise; and reduce staff turnover; cut their recruitment and training costs This should be discussed with union reps or officials if it is applicable to an individualâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s situation.

The ULR can help to think through these development issues, or to discuss with the line manager. ACAS has produced a free booklet to download about flexible working and work-life balance: www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=1283 The 50+ Works site has useful information about the business benefits, which can be used to plan discussions with an employer www.50plusworks.com/employing-the-50business-benefits

(calls are free from landlines)

www.unionlearn.org.uk/uladvice

Supporting Learners at 50+ Making informed choices

Finding a job It may not be possible to stay with your current employer. At 50+ changing a job can be especially alarming. But once the initial shock has worn off, there are plenty of practical ways to plan the next stage of life. First of all consider the options: trying to find a similar job looking for a job with similar skill requirements finding a fresh start in a new area of work or a new geographical area getting re-trained or obtaining a new qualification having a complete change of direction, becoming self-employed, or forming a partnership with a colleague volunteering for a charity, a voluntary organisation or a neighbourhood body – these organisations welcome people with practical backgrounds and often the experience gained can lead to paid employment elsewhere. Most people losing their jobs find another one sooner rather than later and over 60 per cent of workers made redundant at 50+ find work within a year, some considerably sooner. Getting active immediately with job searching is a must for anyone who has recently lost their job. Leaving it for more than a short period for taking stock could prove costly. Research shows that the shorter the time since a person aged 50+ was last in work, the easier they will find it to re-enter working life with a new employer. There are a number of official and unofficial organisations that exist to assist unemployed people re-enter work. Links to some of them are given in the last section of this guide.

To learn more about how to search jobs and training online it is worthwhile registering with the GO ON website. They offer courses free of charge. A local learning centre can help with registration or you can use the link on the unionlearn website: www.unionlearn.org.uk/theme/index.cfm?theme =getonline Evidence suggests that increasing numbers of job-seekers are using online methods for finding recruitment advertisements – and employers find it much cheaper, easier and quicker to advertise vacancies via electronic media – so brushing up your ICT skills can be very beneficial. The unionlearn Learning and Careers Advice Service operated by the National Careers Service (NCS) www.unionlearn.org.uk/uladvice offers tools to help you to create a CV and covering letters, and lists 750 different job profiles, each of which can be clicked on to reveal key information and data that can help users decide where to look for job opportunities. Advice on finding a job as well as information about unemployment benefits and other support is available in your local Jobcentre Plus office and on-line through the Direct.gov website www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Jobseekers/ LookingForWork/index.htm An important specialist source of advice and practical support for people with disabilities or illnesses which may make job-search difficult is the Disability Employment Adviser. Jobcentre Plus can make an appointment for you. You can find further information at: www.direct.gov.uk/en/ DisabledPeople/index.htm and in the last section of this guide.

unionlearn learning and careers advice service

08000 92 91 90

Supporting Learners at 50+ Making informed choices

Getting started with job searching After finding what seems to be a suitable job opportunity the applicant must prepare to present the best case possible for appointment. Applying for a job requires the applicant to follow a number of stages. First, obtaining the job details from the Jobcentre Plus, online, from the recruitment agency or direct from the employer. Finding out whether the applications are expected on a form provided by the employer – online or on a paper version – or whether the applicant needs to write a CV and a covering letter. Preparing to explain why they are a suitable candidate, by making a case that meets the job specification (what the work entails) and the person specification (what personal characteristics and qualifications the employer is looking for). Producing a CV (a list of qualifications, experience, skills, previous jobs and the reasons for leaving them, as well as any personal interests, volunteering roles and other aspects of their life that might recommend them). This will be either requested by the employer or it will be useful when filling in applications or going to interviews. It is important to provide one or two referees – ideally a former employer or senior manager – who can comment on character, skills and suitability for the job.

(calls are free from landlines)

A CV benefits from a personal statement, which provides the applicant with the opportunity to explain why they feel especially suited to the vacancy to provide detailed answers in relation to each point in the person specification and elements of the job description. There will also usually be either a formal interview for a short-list of candidates or an invitation to come into the workplace and meet with the personnel manager or line manager who will be in charge of the appointee. The unionlearn Learning and Careers Advice Service www.unionlearn.org.uk/uladvice, offers practical advice on all aspects of the above. It gives access to a number of interactive web-based tools that can guide an applicant through the stages of writing letters of application, preparing a CV, writing a personal statement and how to prepare for an interview. The applicant can also speak to an adviser and email their CV for comments. There is a mass of helpful advice, checklists, interactive tools and podcasts to make sure that the application process can be faced with the confidence that comes from knowing how to make the case effectively. Advice on finding a job, as well as information about unemployment benefits and other support, is available at your local Jobcentre Plus and online through the Direct.gov website www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Jobseekers/ LookingForWork/index.htm The Direct.gov website also has advice on improving your CV over 50: www.direct.gov.uk/en/Pensionsandretirement planning/Working/Lookingforwork/DG10026752

www.unionlearn.org.uk/uladvice

Supporting Learners at 50+ Making informed choices

The TUCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s WorkSmart website has advice on finding a job and other career related questions: www.worksmart.org.uk/career/ The website www.laterlife.com/laterliferecruitment.htm has a list of links to specialist recruitment agencies for older workers. The Third Age Employment Network www.taen.org.uk also has useful links.

unionlearn learning and careers advice service

08000 92 91 90

Supporting Learners at 50+ Making informed choices

Other options at 50+ Change in the workplace and in life may mean thinking about something completely different. For some this is an opportunity to reinvent themselves and can be grasped positively. This is a big task and requires planning. The following are some of the possible new directions:

Self-employment Many people at 50+ consider self-employment. It may seem an alluring prospect to become your own boss, and for some it can be a stepping-stone to running a successful and profitable business. For others it can be hard work and little reward. But tread carefully: take advice from friends and colleagues and talk to an accountant before setting out. People need to consider the financial risks, the need for business skills, and whether they are confident to work alone.

Volunteering Volunteering is working without pay for an organisation or group. This may include work done as a rep for the union. Through volunteering, one can learn valuable skills that can either give you the chance to put something back into society or help you get back into work. Many young people volunteer by working with charities or international volunteer groups before they go to university and there is no reason why this could not be done at any age. Some of these organisations, like Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO), are actively looking for people of all ages with skills or professions that are needed in the developing world. There will also be opportunities locally. There are links and further information about all these options at the end of this guide.

Retirement There probably is no right time to retire, but it can represent the beginning of a golden age of activity, fulfilment and a personal sense of achievement. Many workers aged 50+ will welcome the opportunity to pursue leisure activities, to travel, to move home, to look forward to the next phase of their life without the constraints of a job. The last section of this guide contains details of organisations and advice centres that can help people plan for the next phase of their life if they are tempted, and ready, to become an active retired person.

(calls are free from landlines)

www.unionlearn.org.uk/uladvice

Supporting Learners at 50+ Making informed choices

Financial capability Planning for a change in personal circumstances, income and outgoings, learning and your skills, for job-seeking and for a chance to try out ambitions as a volunteer, may all impact on the family budget. It is best to find out what is involved before starting out. It is never too soon to be planning your future.

Benefits Both the Worksmart and Direct Gov websites explain claiming financial benefits and tax credits www.worksmart.org.uk/money/benefits www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxandBenefits/

Pensions Redundancy An employer must follow very clear procedures before deciding that individual or collective redundancies are unavoidable. The union must be informed and consulted, there must be notifications and a timetable for the process set out, and the individuals affected told of their rights and entitlements. Reps should be able to give advice and personnel or HR departments will need to explain what is being considered and how individuals may be affected. The TUCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s WorkSmart website www.worksmart.org.uk/rights/redundancy also has basic information on rights in redundancy situations â&#x20AC;&#x201C; including the entitlement to redundancy payment.

Changes to the age at which people become eligible for their state pension will result in a common retirement age of 66 within the next decade. However, men and women are living much longer and many of them want or need to work beyond the age that they can receive their state pension. For information about the state pension age visit the Direct Gov website: www.direct.gov.uk/en/ Pensionsandretirementplanning Worksmart introduces the pension basics: www.worksmart.org.uk/money/ newsection.php?sen=3 Further information and useful links are provided in the last section of this guide.

unionlearn learning and careers advice service

08000 92 91 90

Supporting Learners at 50+ Making informed choices

Additional links and resources Advice on learning and careers Perhaps the most helpful place for union members and reps seeking information and practical help (such as online step-by-step guidance to creating your own tailor-made CV) is the unionlearn Learning and Careers Advice Service. You can use the service in different ways, including finding a course by searching the website or telephoning an adviser who will carry out a search for you. Union members are offered a full information and advice service provided by National Careers Service advisers who are trained to understand the needs of working people and of union members. The unionlearn Learning and Careers Advice Service, operated by the National Careers Service (NCS) has a website and a phone line: www.unionlearn.org.uk/uladvice 08000 92 91 90 – the service operates 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. seven days a week and is free from a landline. If a member prefers to speak to an adviser who will have answers to personal questions then they should call the service number above to chat to an adviser or make an appointment with a National Careers Service (NCS) face-to-face adviser in their area. An adviser can also call them back if they need a longer conversation on the phone. If English is not the person’s first language they will be offered special numbers where they can talk to an adviser in their own language. There are nine of these lines, and the numbers are listed on the website above. Find out what the benefits of workrelated learning are for learners at 50+ by going directly to the NCS website www.nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk Those interested in higher learning can visit unionlearn’s new website www.higherlearningatwork.org

(calls are free from landlines)

The NCS website also has tools for creating an action plan, taking into account the present situation, helping to identify skills and work goals, and to work out steps to take. The advisers can give feedback on this action plan and registering on the website ensures the information is saved. www.nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/ actionplan/

Action planning with the union learning Climbing Frame Unionlearn’s Climbing Frame helps ULRs to develop action plans with learners. It is a free, easy-to-use website where you can browse the Learning Themes to find topics of interest and search for specific services and providers. Information can be accessed quickly and easily with useful text, downloadable documents and recommended websites. One of these themes is called Personal and Career Planning. In addition, ULRs can help learners to set goals and generate actions which are captured in an Action Plan and on the Climbing Frame grid. Achievements are recorded and a variety of customised and exportable reports can be produced. Information on possible career change or new training opportunities as well as a wide range of activities helps ULRs and members to think through the various factors that shape their working lives. There are also Learning Themes on Supporting Learners at 50+, Equality and Diversity, Disabled Learners and Higher Learning. www.climbingframe.unionlearn.org.uk

www.unionlearn.org.uk/uladvice

Supporting Learners at 50+ Making informed choices

Courses and learning opportunities The unionlearn Learning and Careers Advice service (www.unionlearn.org.uk/uladvice) offers a course directory of more than 950,000 courses from over 10,000 providers. The directory is fully searchable. Hotcourses is a UK-wide listing of adult, college and university courses including location of provider, times and fees: www.hotcourses.com In addition, listed here are contact details for some providers that offer a large range of subjects – academic courses such as GCSEs, work-related courses such as computing, professional courses such as banking, and leisure courses you can study for pleasure such as painting: Learndirect offers hundreds of courses online. The courses can be accessed from anywhere where there is broadband, at home, at work or at a learndirect learning centre. The courses vary from ICT to Skills for Life and vocational qualifications. Visit the website www.learndirect.co.uk or ask your union learning rep for advice on the nearest learning centre The Open University (OU) is also one of unionlearn’s partners and it offers access to higher level learning. OU offers TUC affiliated union members a 10 per cent discount on fees for first-year undergraduate courses that carry 30 and 60 points towards a qualification. OpenLearn www.openlearn.open.ac.uk is OU’s platform for free online courses with support from union learning clubs. The course topics vary from languages to business and management and arts and humanities. Find out more in www.unionlearn.org.uk/ about/ learn-2464-f0.cfm

The National Extension College is another unionlearn partner offering a 10 per cent discount on over 120 accredited distance learning courses. Visit www.unionlearn.org.uk/about/learn2466-f0.cfm for more information. The Open College of the Arts is a distance learning provider for learning topics such as music, art and design or creative writing. Visit www.oca-uk.com/

Numeracy, literacy and computer skills In addition to the contacts on page 9, some unions have projects and initiatives to help members update their skills in reading, writing and using maths at work and at home. Members should be advised to take a look at the union website or contact a union learning centre if there is one in the workplace. The learning centres can also direct learners to an appropriate computer course or they can register at GO ON for free short courses that get them started on ICT: www.unionlearn.org.uk/ theme/index.cfm?theme=getonline The disability network RADAR has produced a guide Doing IT Differently with advice for people living with injury, ill health or disability: http://radar-shop.org.uk/Range.aspx?id=12. You can also call the unionlearn learning and careers service to find out about courses 08000 929190.

Work-based higher learning To discover more about Foundation degrees and other work-focused qualifications that are available across England go to www.higherlearningatwork.org. This is a new unionlearn website for information on work-based higher learning. Search also at www.direct.gov.uk/foundationdegrees

unionlearn learning and careers advice service

08000 92 91 90

Supporting Learners at 50+ Making informed choices

Pre-course checklist

Searching for jobs

Unionlearn’s Supporting Learners: useful extras for union reps (Guide 4) has a comprehensive list of questions to ask before enrolling on a course: www.unionlearn.org.uk/advice/index.cfm? mins=159

In addition to using the unionlearn Learning and Careers Advice Service, the nearest Jobcentre Plus office will be useful. Its address details and telephone numbers, as well as the chance to email questions can be found at: www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Jobseekers/ ContactJobcentrePlus/index.htm

Financing and time off for learning Click on ‘Funding directory’ on unionlearn’s Learning and Careers Advice Service website www.unionlearn.org.uk/uladvice or visit the Directgov website. However, it may be better to discuss possible funding options with an adviser on 08000 92 91 90 because the financial help available needs to be assessed on an individual basis. Training may be available to improve skills and bring extra value to the employer at work, in which case the employer may be willing to fund learning or support a learner in other ways. Various schemes exist and the employer might already belong to them. To learn more follow this link: www.direct.gov.uk/en/Education AndLearning/AdultLearning/TrainingAnd WorkplaceLearning/DG_070911 A Professional and Career Development Loan could be an option: www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/ AdultLearning/FinancialHelpForAdultLearners/ CareerDevelopmentLoans/index.htm Learn more about the right to request time to train in workplaces with more than 250 employees: www.unionlearn.org.uk/righttorequesttraining The Higher Learning at work site has a page on funding: www.higherlearningatwork.org

(calls are free from landlines)

The TUC’s WorkSmart website has advice on finding a job and other career-related questions: www.worksmart.org.uk/career/ Disabled people can access specialist programmes through Jobcentre Plus to support them towards employment: www.direct.gov.uk/en/ DisabledPeople/Employmentsupport/ WorkSchemesAndProgrammes/DG_4001963 The disability network RADAR has a guide Doing Work Differently which has advice on getting and keeping a job while managing ill health, injury or disability. It can be downloaded from http://radar-shop.org.uk /Range.aspx?id=12

Self employment The PRIME initiative has information, advice and networks for people over 50 wanting to set up their own business or go self-employed: www.prime.org.uk/ and www.PrimeBusinessClub.com The CAB has produced a useful checklist for those considering self-employment: www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/your_money/ employment_index_ew/self-employment_ checklist.htm

www.unionlearn.org.uk/uladvice

Supporting Learners at 50+ Making informed choices

Here are some useful websites:

Benefits

Business Link has an online resource, ‘My New Business’, and an area called Age Positive, which includes some case studies. You can telephone free on 0845 600 9006 or visit their website: www.businesslink.gov.uk Direct.Gov has a section on becoming self-employed if you are over 50: www.direct.gov.uk/en/Pensionsandretirement planning/Working/WorkingToSuitYou/ DG_10027003 The website 50plusworks has a section on selfemployment, with a range of useful links: www.50plusworks.com/work/ and www.50plusworks.com/selfemployment/

Volunteering When thinking about volunteering, check out the charter agreed between the TUC and Volunteering England to find out more about the role of volunteers: www.tuc.org.uk/workplace/ index.cfm?mins=349&minors=4&major subjectID=2 VSO organises volunteering opportunities abroad: www.vso.org.uk/

The WorkSmart and Direct.gov websites explain claiming financial benefits and tax credits: www.worksmart.org.uk/money/benefits www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAnd Benefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOther Support/index.htm

Pensions and retirement WorkSmart introduces the pension basics: www.worksmart.org.uk/money/viewsection. php?sen=3 The Money Advice Service’s Retirement Guide explains the steps and choices available for managing personal finances through retirement. A copy of the guide can be requested from the unionlearn website or downloaded from www.unionlearn.org.uk/publications/ index.cfm?frmPubID=180 or downloaded from www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/retirement The Direct.gov website has comprehensive information on retirement and financial planning for the over 50s: www.direct.gov.uk/en/Over50s /RetirementAndPensions/index.htm

For general information visit www.volunteering.org.uk The unionlearn Learning and Careers Advice Service can advise on opportunities for volunteering, and can provide links to a range of websites and local organisation. The local Citizen’s Advice Bureau (CAB) will also be able to help. The 50+Works website has a useful pdf to download: www.50plusworks.com/volunteering/

unionlearn learning and careers advice service

08000 92 91 90

Supporting Learners at 50+ Making informed choices

Other finance matters