A NEW initiative has been launched to help workers aged over 40 in Dorset to develop new employment opportunities.

The Mature Worker Programme is being run by a Dorset consortium with funding from the Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole Learning and Skills Council together with European Social Fund money.

The Mature Worker Programme (part of the Older & Bolder initiative) will give applicants advice and guidance about job seeking, help people update their CVs, provide training where skills gaps are identified and offer support in locating the right job.

The scheme also hopes to highlight the fact that there is currently a high number of employers in Dorset which are actively recruiting but cannot find the right calibre of candidate, while the number of younger people entering the employment market is falling.

Also the programme backers say many companies are now valuing older, more mature and experienced staff and see them as an asset to their business or organisation.

It is also anticipated that the widely publicised pension crisis is likely to be influential to the success of this initiative as more people are discovering that in order to maintain their lifestyle and income they will need to work until an older age in order to boost their personal pension fund. For many, this may mean re-adjusting their career and in certain cases, re-training.

Open Days for anyone interested in joining the Mature Worker Programme are being held at The Bournemouth and Poole College on Monday, September 1 at the Lansdowne, Bournemouth between 9am and 8pm and Wednesday, September 3 at North Road, Poole 9am- 8pm.

The contact co-ordinator is N Allen. Alternatively, information can be obtained from The College helpline on 01202 205205.