client case studies
Fresh Steps - A programme for mature workers
Personal and professional development has the power to transform people's lives. New employment legislation removing the default retirement age means so many more people will have the choice to carry on working. This is an exciting development which holds new challenges and possibilities for older workers and their employers. Fresh Steps is a programme specifically for the older worker and delivered in many industry sectors, including the Police Service and Higher Education. Yvonne Coolbear from Suffolk Constabulary, Parul Modha from the University of Westminster, and Wilma Butterworth from the University of Central Lancashire took the time to explain more about their experiences of the programme.
Why seek development for older workers?
Yvonne explained why Suffolk Constabulary invested in development for their older workers:
"Almost half of our workforce is aged over 40 and a number of them felt as though they were lacking direction, or stuck in a rut. Consequently we were keen to find a development programme to help revitalise them and renew their motivation. Age is as much an equality issue as gender these days."
All three contributors cited a proportional increase in the amount of older workers at work generally which, along with the removal of the default retirement age, raised a need for development programmes for this section of the workforce.
Parul explained:
"We believed that people entering into this stage of their career at Westminster could really benefit from development to encourage them to look at their lives from a fresh perspective. We wanted them to feel valued and have some help in identifying goals and needs both at work and at home."
Why The Springboard Consultancy?
Yvonne:
"The police service has a long history of working with the Springboard Consultancy. Their reputation and proven track record has led to them becoming highly esteemed within our sector. The positive outcomes people had experienced following the Springboard Development Programme for women and Navigator Development Programme for men meant that they were the natural providers for a development programme for our older workers."
Reputation was echoed by both Parul and Wilma, with Parul adding that:
"The Springboard Consultancy offers a well planned and consistent approach in their programmes which are well researched and able to evolve in relation to the current climate. Their support both personally and in relation to the programme is exceptionally good."
Almost half of our workforce is aged over 40 and many felt as though they were lacking direction, or stuck in a rut."
Fresh Steps gives older workers the opportunity to consider where they are, where they want to go, and how to get there."
It has given me a fresh perspective on who and where I am, now, at age 55.
It has emphasized the positive aspects of where I am, how I can take control and approach older age optimistically."
Barbara Stephens, Principal, Carbon Leadership