Our Mission
We are a member-driven UK charity focused on age inclusion in the workplace. Through facilitative leadership, we help organisations to create working environments where the skills and experiences of older workers are valued and utilised to leverage the power of intergenerational collaboration, improve profitability, and create stronger, innovative teams. By learning from each other, we create leaders in all generations and a culture where all can thrive.
The Case for Age Inclusion
Workers over the age of 50 are the fastest growing segment of the UK labour market.
Figures from the Office for National Statistics show that, since 1992, the number of workers aged from 50 to 64 has increased by over 4 million from 5.5 million to 9.5 million in 2022. The number of workers aged over 65 has also increased over a million to 1.5 million. At the same time the number of workers aged 25 to 49 has increased by just 2 million.
Source: ONS
Match this trend with the fact that many sectors across the economy are facing severe skills shortages and figures from the ONS show that 26.6% of people aged 50 to 64 were economically inactive in the period to January 2024 and the case for age inclusion in the workplace becomes crystal clear.
In 2023, we surveyed 225 HR and DEI managers and learned that organisations recognise the issue, and need help. Our survey respondents told us that preparing for an ageing workforce was very important, scoring it seven out of 10, yet they did not feel strategically prepared, scoring it four out of 10.
Age is a protected characteristic in the UK Equality Act 2010, yet it has not yest made it to the priority list of many people working in the field of DEI. As a topic it ranked number four, after ethnicity, gender, and disability. The good news is that organisations are beginning to work on the topic and looking to actively collect and monitor data on the needs of workers over 50.
We want to work with organisations to help build the business case for greater age inclusion in the workplace. We believe that doing so will open opportunities for business, society and individuals. It starts with a conversation and an opportunity to learn from each other.
Come join us on the journey. Learn more about becoming a ProAge member.