MINISTERS HAVE AGREED TO HELP CORUS workers facing redundancy to retrain to refresh their skills to help them to find alternative employment.

The promise came after Work and Pensions minister, Right Hon Jim Knight MP, was questioned by Shona McIsaac in the House of Commons.

'I had been concerned for the plight of older workers who have been made redundant or who are facing redundancy. Research has revealed that older workers can find it more difficult to find another job because their skills may not be up-to-date. And while the Government have made fantastic progress with apprentices, they tend to be young apprentices. I feel there is merit in investigating whether employers would consider taking on older apprentices to help them train and develop new skills.

'Therefore I took the opportunity to question ministers about the issue.

'As regards Corus, offering workers the prospect of refreshing their skills prior to any redundancy should be acknowledged and welcomed.'

Read Shona's exchange with Work and Pensions minister, Jim Knight MP.

Shona McIsaac:
What support and training Jobcentre Plus offers people over 50 years old to assist them to re-enter employment?

Jim Knight (Minister of State):
We are increasing the range of back-to-work help for unemployed people of all ages, to meet every jobseeker's individual needs. This support includes the Jobcentre Plus rapid response service for those facing redundancy, and extra help after six months of unemployment. For those who are still unemployed at 12 months, we are introducing individually tailored help via contracted providers.

Shona McIsaac:
Is my right hon. Friend aware that last Thursday Corus announced substantial job losses, which include 500 managerial and technical staff at their works in Scunthorpe? What will be done for people in that sector, given that they tend to be a little older, to help them to get back into the workplace? Has he considered devising some sort of apprenticeship scheme for older workers?

Jim Knight (Minister of State):
Clearly I am aware of the sad news for those individuals of the Corus job losses, including the 500 at Scunthorpe that come on top of 93 already announced. I am aware that the profile of many of those jobs is professional, technical and managerial. Through our rapid response service, we have made contact with Corus in Scunthorpe and we will go in to offer help, including signposting older workers into training so that they can refresh some of their skills prior to becoming redundant, so that they can get back into work as quickly as possible. Apprenticeships for older people are an interesting idea. I am meeting the Minister for Further Education, Skills, Apprenticeships and Consumer Affairs later this week and I will have a chat with him about it.

29 June 2009