As the retirement age in the UK continues to rise, the talent pool of older workers is growing rapidly. Older workers are extremely valuable to employers, coming with life experience and a strong set of transferable skills. As such, it’s no surprise that the number of UK companies employing older workers is on the up.
If you’re an older worker looking for a career change or to re-enter the workforce, there are more opportunities than ever before. In fact, recent data revealed that baby boomers are the fastest-growing age category in the workforce.
While you may have to retrain, your career doesn’t have to come to a halt after 50. This article rounds up 5 of the top UK companies that employ older workers in 2024.
Why Employ Older Workers?
Older workers are an asset to any company. Not only do they bring experience to the table, but they have a vast transferable skillset and a fresh perspective. What’s more, they are often overlooked by recruiters, meaning there is a wide pool of untapped talent just waiting to be discovered.
In terms of transferable skills, older workers have spent decades honing hard-to-train skills such as communication, leadership, and collaboration. Thus, companies can hire a fully-formed employee and save valuable time and resources in training on these topics.
One of the biggest benefits of employing older workers is that they tend to stay loyal. As an older worker, finding new job opportunities can be challenging. Therefore, once they find a career opportunity that recognises their value, they are much more likely to stay with that company for the long haul.
For further information on the benefits of employing older workers, check out our dedicated guide.
5 Companies Employing Older Workers in the UK
Applying for jobs can be overwhelming at any stage of your career, but it’s particularly tough as an older worker or career changer. That’s why we have rounded up 5 of the top UK companies that hire older workers. Here’s a closer look.
1. Aviva
As one of the top insurance companies on the planet, Aviva is a leader in its field. Aviva has publicly declared its commitment to diversity and it has made older workers a key part of this initiative. Aviva made an impact back in 2017 when it announced its commitment to employing 1,000 new workers over 50. In fact, it has forecasted that by 2025 a third of its employees will be over 50.
Aviva is a great career choice for older workers because it is a large multinational company with a wide array of job possibilities. From customer service to leadership roles, you are likely to find a career that suits your profile.
2. Next
UK retail giants Next boasts an impressive range of initiatives that are perfect for career changers and older workers. As a FTSE 100 company, Next has a broad selection of job roles to suit different skill sets. For instance, you can choose from warehouse roles, customer service positions, or office jobs. There is also the option to apply for temporary, seasonal or part-time work.
Next PLC is a top employer. As well as mentoring schemes and returners incentives, it also offers a good pension scheme, flexible working, and bonuses. With so many employee-centric initiatives, Next is a great career choice for older workers trying to re-enter the workforce.
3. Sainsbury’s
Sainsbury’s is another of the top UK companies employing older workers. This leading supermarket chain offers employees flexible working, a bonus scheme, staff discounts, and incentives for long service.
What’s more, as one of the biggest companies in the UK, there is a fantastic selection of job opportunities. For example, you can choose between retail roles, office positions, and temporary, part-time, or seasonal jobs. This is perfect for older career changers looking for a new challenge in a highly-revered company.
4. Boots
Boots is another iconic UK business that hires older workers. In its commitment to promoting a more diverse workforce, Boots recently hired 10% more workers over the age of 50.
Aside from boasting an inclusive and diverse working environment, Boots offers a wide selection of job opportunities such as retail, pharmacy, and office roles. As such, it’s an excellent company to work for as an older worker looking for a second career.
5. B&Q
The last employer on the list is DIY leaders B&Q. B&Q has been committed to hiring older workers since the nineties when it launched its age diversity project. This initiative saw B&Q collaborate with recruitment agencies that specialise in older workers. In fact, close to 30% of its workforce was over the age of 50 in 2011.
Don’t worry if you’re not a DIY expert, B&Q has plenty of job roles in admin, HR, management, and financial roles.
Final Thoughts
If you are an older worker looking for a new career, these companies employing older workers are a great place to look. As the average life expectancy in the UK continues to rise, an increasing number of employers are turning to older workers to plug valuable skills gaps.
Refreshing a Career is dedicated to empowering older workers to find their dream job and settle into a new career at any age. Aside from live job vacancies, our website has a wealth of valuable resources to support career changers and older workers during their job hunt. You’ll find comprehensive guides on volunteering, retraining, and building your confidence. Our job board is updated regularly with low-stress jobs for retirees.
If you’re an employer looking to hire more older workers or career changers, we have put together some useful career change interview questions to help you.
For further advice, check out our resources on changing careers or browse our live job board for career change opportunities near you.
