Husband can't find software development contracts - any ideas on next steps

[getinthecar]

My husband was made redundant a year ago as a software developer, as the small consultancy he was working for went under. He's been trying to develop his own applications for sale but needs some income to keep things going. He's not had any positive responses when he has tried to pursue short term contracts as has heard the market is v tough. His area is full stack/front end development Javascript - web technologies. Had 10 years experience, and worked way up through different companies to final salary of £95K. Is there anything else he can try? Would be willing to do part-time as well as short-term contracts. Flexible on location. It's getting pretty tough with no income coming in aside from a small retainer from a local company he's built an app for.

Also he just turned 50 and is worried he is too old and no one will employ him.

Is he registered with an agency/many agencies? Generally speaking if I’m hiring day rate or an FTC of less than 12 months I’ll do it via an agency. I might put an ad out into the open market directly for an FTC longer than 12 months but again, usually would go the agency route.

Thanks for responding. Yes I asked him and has registered with many agencies. He says they contact him and he responds, then if he is not an exact match they never respond to him so he gets the initial contact via LinkedIn, then responds/register, but it doesn't go anywhere. He thinks there is an oversupply of those more experienced than him.

He needs to register with the agencies to say he is available for work. Lots of companies only recruit through their specific agents and they will go though who is on their books first before making the phone calls that he receives.

Are there any local meet dev ops meet ups? Look online for the area you are in. This is how lots of pipeline work is mentioned too and getting your face known. Would he consider becoming a permie?

Do you want to say what area you are in? It might help.

Hi thanks for recommendation re registering proactively.

Going to networking events and start up meet ups in Bristol/Brimingham such as Tech Innovate, says the JavaScript ones don't have employers more geeks like him attending. Based equi-distant from Bristol/Birmingham/Oxford - could commute to London once a week. I'm afraid he doesn't want a permanent role - determined to work on his own things in the long term.

Works v hard and is always successful in the roles he does but this has really knocked his confidence. He's v modest and with E Asian background sometimes struggles to "show off" in the way western cultures do. Would think he would be an ideal contractor as just gets on and does things and is a super lovely person and good problem solver.

Are there any agencies you would recommend?