Over 50 returning to work after long absence

[Jewel1968]

I have asked this before but trying again. DP is looking to return to work after long absence. He has been a SAHP.

I keep seeing stuff in press about gov really keen to get people like him back into work. I was wondering if there are any agencies that support people back into work after long absence. I have looked but can't see anything.

He applies for stuff but hears nothing and I suspect they see the long absence and move on to next candidate.

How many years is a ‘long gap’? It feels harder to justify having nothing on the cv like volunteering once children are school age.

It's very sore on your confidence - moving from SAHP to the working world. I suspect he is a little bit terrified and will be terrified of rejection. I was a SAHP for 11 years and the nonsense that people believe including employers about your losing skills - your IT skills will be fine (unless you've been living under a rock) lots of courses are free on youtube - advise him to do some. And people skills are not something you lose either.

I suggest baby steps - his does a bit of volunteering at a local charity shop - he'll very quickly start to feel more confident, whilst he's doing this he should do courses in Word and Excel on youtube whilst researching recruitment agencies. After a month of volunteering or less if he's up for it approach temping agencies, and encourage him to respond promptly to their requests, if they ask him to complete a IT test in 3 days do it right away, approach more than one agency. Good luck to him - it's hard to get back in the game again.

And don't shy away from talking about the career gap to look after your kids - leaving an unexplained gap - might draw an employer to conclude something worse

Perhaps he could just put his initial so D Clarke for example instead of Daniel. Lots of companies redact names now to prevent unconscious bias. Do you think it is because he is a man? Put stay at home parent, rather than dad.
Make sure his skills are up to date, lots of office skills will have moved on a lot. Volunteering is a good call if there is a suitable role.
Does he want to return to work? It can be daunting after a long time away,

Would he be interested in care work? Carers are desperately needed and an agency might be willing to give him training on the job. His years of caring for children would be an asset here rather than a problem.

Temp agencies charge fees to businesses to find staff, they will always but the most qualified/ experienced out k dr somebody who hadn't signed in years, it's a business not the job centre

I definitely suggest volunteering to get done recent experience on his cv
Hospitality is crying out for people and will take unqualified as will the care industry

Nonsense - they gave me a job - many years ago with no experience, and gave my dd a job over the summer with no experience. Getting a temp job has also been pretty easy for my friend's kids.