Page 65 - increasing-the-value-of-age-guidance-in-employers-age-management-strategies

Increasing the value of age: guidance in employers’ age management strategies

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of Pôle emploi ( ) presents a list of services specifically aimed at senior job-
seekers, which includes assessment and training for job searching, specific
information of interest and much more. Also, Pôle emploi helps them in the
elaboration of a personal diagnosis (skills, strong/weak points) and offers training
on job searching tools. Specific contracts are developed (the CDD senior
contract) dedicated to unemployed people over the age of 57 and can be
concluded for a maximum of 36 months.
The internet is playing an increasing role in providing access to guidance,
with public employment services featuring in this. In the Netherlands, for
example, the government appears to see itself having a role in making career
information accessible and so stimulating self-help; the opleiding en beroep
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(education and profession) portal ( ) has been set up for this purpose. The Dutch
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public employment services (named UWV) website ( ) offers much information
for self-help in career guidance, including customised relevant overviews of
education and training possibilities. Professionals have noted, however, that self-
help in the field of career development is not an option for many people. Career
issues often need more structured guidance by a career advisor who is physically
present.
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In Spain, the website of the public employment service ( ) offers specific
services for particular target collectives: this includes workers over 45 years as
well as disabled workers, women, youngsters, entrepreneurs and the long-term
unemployed. The website offers information on training and skills accreditation,
subsidies and income support, and data on the labour market in general.
The trend seems to be in the direction of the self-serving citizen. A lot of
information is available, but individuals need to have an active attitude towards
finding and gathering the information and possibilities regarding guidance. There
are four main concerns about the multiplicity of online services offered:
(a) the quality of service is variable, with costs of entry into this market being
much lower for limited support. Higher quality, research-based,
comprehensive support has much higher costs of entry.
(b) the information needs of users are specific and complex. Many employed
adults pursue their careers in specialised labour markets and require highly

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( ) http://www.pole-emploi.fr [accessed 1.4.2014].
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( ) http://www.opleidingenberoep.nl [accessed 1.4.2014].
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( ) https://www.werk.nl [accessed 1.4.2014].
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( ) http://www.sepe.es/ [accessed 1.4.2014].

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