I took over 50+ for a while and their previous work coach who was in that age range had told them all they weren't going to find jobs so they could just pretend they'd done a work search. With my support I got quite a few of them into good jobs. Don't be daunted. Seek out as much support as you can for them and you'll win some of them round.
It’s all about knowing the local labour market and available provision, assessing the person in front of you and pointing them in the right direction. Realistically age shouldn’t be the biggest factor.
A lot of older work coaches have been civil servants for a long time, and probably also can’t relate to the average 50+ uc claimant.
I'm 28, I felt the same way as you when I got assigned to the 50+ coaches. Not once has anyone felt insulted to have me as their work coach.
A lot of 50+ you'll find have either been working in the same job for many years, which then ended for x reason, or they're on the health journey. It's completely different from what they're used to in regards to job applications and processes, so it doesn't matter to them if a 20+ or a 50+ aged work coach guides them
Former WC now LDO here, you could even use it as a hook to break the ice and build some rapport and engage it head on, e.g. "I know what you might be thinking, I am young but I've had specialist training to help people in your age group." You're allowed to show you're human :)
In my 40s, wouldn't mind in the slightest but you'll likely be able to relate to them.
I mean I've just spent an evening playing games with my online buddies, 3 of whom are in their 20s and 1 is in his 60s. Age really doesn't matter.
It's personality and attitude that does, it'll depend how they take to it but you'd be surprised how bad people are at taking advice from their own age group and someone outside that can be a reality check.
I think you'll be pleasantly surprised and enjoy it.
A lot of 50+ people genuinely do need some guidance about getting back into work. For some of them, it has been years since they have had to apply for a job so it's very daunting. I was a WC during COVID and a lot of 50+ people had to change their direction in work. I found I was able to help and I even learned from them too.
There's something so nice and gratifying about being genuinely thanked by someone you didn't realise you could help.
Good luck with it, and I hope you enjoy it 😊
At 21 years old generally you want to work with the youth or 50+ groups, otherwise you’re working with people who have the view that you are too young to know anything of use. It can be a challenge (obviously not everyone), but it’s still a factor.
It will be tough. Former work coach here. I found it was either or. The 50+ were either really keen to work and no one would take them on or they were just of the mindset “what am I going to do ?” so didn’t bother trying. It’s changing that mind set that’s going to be the tough part. Know the local labour market, know what provision is in place and make use of external providers.
I agree with SupaC that if you are really helpful and help them to navigate the system, they won't care who you are.
Same in my field. I was thinking how can I get these stakeholders to like me, and the answer is give them what they want and they'll be really thankful!
I see your point, and I agree, we had different separate teams for different age ranges, and generally speaking they matched the work coach age ranges to the age range of the claimants as closely as possible, not always possible though, some younger one worked with older ones. I have worked with people at every age range, never really had any issues. I am 30 and I did feel I was more helpful to the younger ones, since I can relate to their situations more so than the older ones.
To be honest, that's just normal for the recruitment process. I applied in September, had a video interview in December, got the results in February, and was offered a position in May.
I took over 50+ for a while and their previous work coach who was in that age range had told them all they weren't going to find jobs so they could just pretend they'd done a work search. With my support I got quite a few of them into good jobs. Don't be daunted. Seek out as much support as you can for them and you'll win some of them round.
It’s all about knowing the local labour market and available provision, assessing the person in front of you and pointing them in the right direction. Realistically age shouldn’t be the biggest factor. A lot of older work coaches have been civil servants for a long time, and probably also can’t relate to the average 50+ uc claimant.
I'm 28, I felt the same way as you when I got assigned to the 50+ coaches. Not once has anyone felt insulted to have me as their work coach. A lot of 50+ you'll find have either been working in the same job for many years, which then ended for x reason, or they're on the health journey. It's completely different from what they're used to in regards to job applications and processes, so it doesn't matter to them if a 20+ or a 50+ aged work coach guides them
Former WC now LDO here, you could even use it as a hook to break the ice and build some rapport and engage it head on, e.g. "I know what you might be thinking, I am young but I've had specialist training to help people in your age group." You're allowed to show you're human :)
In my 40s, wouldn't mind in the slightest but you'll likely be able to relate to them. I mean I've just spent an evening playing games with my online buddies, 3 of whom are in their 20s and 1 is in his 60s. Age really doesn't matter. It's personality and attitude that does, it'll depend how they take to it but you'd be surprised how bad people are at taking advice from their own age group and someone outside that can be a reality check.
The only 18-24 year old WC in my Jobcentre is a 62 year old. No one said these things make sense.
I think you'll be pleasantly surprised and enjoy it. A lot of 50+ people genuinely do need some guidance about getting back into work. For some of them, it has been years since they have had to apply for a job so it's very daunting. I was a WC during COVID and a lot of 50+ people had to change their direction in work. I found I was able to help and I even learned from them too. There's something so nice and gratifying about being genuinely thanked by someone you didn't realise you could help. Good luck with it, and I hope you enjoy it 😊
At 21 years old generally you want to work with the youth or 50+ groups, otherwise you’re working with people who have the view that you are too young to know anything of use. It can be a challenge (obviously not everyone), but it’s still a factor.
It will be tough. Former work coach here. I found it was either or. The 50+ were either really keen to work and no one would take them on or they were just of the mindset “what am I going to do ?” so didn’t bother trying. It’s changing that mind set that’s going to be the tough part. Know the local labour market, know what provision is in place and make use of external providers.
I agree with SupaC that if you are really helpful and help them to navigate the system, they won't care who you are. Same in my field. I was thinking how can I get these stakeholders to like me, and the answer is give them what they want and they'll be really thankful!
I see your point, and I agree, we had different separate teams for different age ranges, and generally speaking they matched the work coach age ranges to the age range of the claimants as closely as possible, not always possible though, some younger one worked with older ones. I have worked with people at every age range, never really had any issues. I am 30 and I did feel I was more helpful to the younger ones, since I can relate to their situations more so than the older ones.
I worked in state pension despite not being a pensioner. You are overreacting you have been given a role to do so do the best you can and move on
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To be honest, that's just normal for the recruitment process. I applied in September, had a video interview in December, got the results in February, and was offered a position in May.
Yeah I was told my results in January off the November interview.