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Meplan 50+ is a Tri- Nation partnership funded by the ESF Article 6 Programme and based in Monmouthshire Wales, Offenbach Germany and County Westmeath in Ireland.
In the UK the partnership consists of Prime Cymru, Newport and Gwent Enterprise and Industry, Monmouthshire County Council and Gwent Association of Voluntary Organisations.
The project is contributing to both the re- integration and retention of older workers by developing a pathway of employment, self - employment and volunteering opportunities through the process of life planning.
The partnership, together with older people, employers and providers, is designing and delivering a range of projects which will identify and address the barriers faced by older workers in remaining in and returning to active employment.
It aims to facilitate a culture change through policy development and awareness raising activities, which promote active ageing, the employment, self employment and volunteering potential of older workers and the attitudes and behaviour of both employers and older workers.
A research programme has commenced to seek out the views of those over 50 and employers in each of the three regions. A report for each region and a summary overview for all regions will be produced.
MePlan 50+ is about helping individuals plan their future careers within employment.
The project will hold Experience Counts Employment Workshops across Monmouthshire which provide mentor facilitated self help groups and one to one mentoring programmes. This will provide opportunities to identify and find work, help to improve job search skills, employment support and provide informal learning opportunities.
The project is developing two programmes to support self employment. Enterprise in Action will provide practical opportunities for the over 50s to test trade their business idea.
The Experience Counts Programme will provide mentor facilitated self help groups and one to one mentors for self employment.
The project is seeking to establish a Volunteering Network across the county.
Monmouthshire County Council is developing an employment pilot project specifically for the over 50s.
The main objectives of the research programme are:
- Map and identify past and future trends in each partner region for demographics, sectors, education, employment, self employment, volunteering and existing 50+ practices, systems, provisions and opportunities.
- Survey of older workers preferences to employment and life planning and help to identify the barriers faced in realising their goals.
- Survey of employers’ attitudes and practices in the recruitment, employment and retention of older workers.
Last year 14 workshops were run across Monmouthshire which attracted over 80 participants, resulting in a number of those who had attended in obtaining jobs, starting self employment or thinking about starting a business or are doing volunteering.
A further series of 10 workshops has started for this year and we hoping for similar success.
(Posted 28th March 2008 on Prince of Wales Website)
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