PRIME Cymru launches Age-Inclusive Employer Covenant  

PRIME Cymru has launched a new Age-Inclusive Employer Covenant, calling on employers across Wales to recognise the skills, experience, reliability and diversity that people aged 50 and over bring to the workplace. 

The new Covenant provides employers with a practical framework for taking positive action to support older workers and jobseekers, while challenging age-related stereotypes and creating workplaces where people of all generations can contribute and thrive. 

By signing the PRIME Cymru Age-Inclusive Employer Covenant, organisations are making a public commitment to creating fairer and more inclusive opportunities for people aged 50+ and to recognising the important contribution they make to the economy and wider society. 

Seven commitments for age-inclusive employment 

The Covenant sets out seven areas in which employers can take action: 

Recruit fairly – Employers commit to ensuring recruitment practices are inclusive and age-friendly, focusing on skills, experience and potential rather than age, and using age-neutral language in job advertisements. 

Support older jobseekers – Signatories will consider applications from people returning to work following career breaks, recognise transferable skills and life experience, and work with PRIME Cymru and other partners to promote opportunities to older candidates. 

Provide flexible opportunities – Employers are encouraged to explore flexible, hybrid and part-time working, as well as phased retirement options where operationally possible, helping people who wish to remain economically active later in life. 

Invest in skills and development – The Covenant recognises that learning and development should be available at every stage of a career. Employers commit to supporting lifelong learning, reskilling and digital skills development where needed. 

Create an age-positive workplace – Signatories will promote respect and inclusion across generations, challenge age discrimination and unconscious bias, and celebrate the contribution of older workers. 

Support health and wellbeing – Employers will consider reasonable adjustments that can help people remain in work, promote wellbeing initiatives that support an ageing workforce, and encourage open conversations around health, caring responsibilities and work-life balance. 

Measure and improve – Organisations will regularly review their employment practices, share good practice and success stories, and seek continuous improvement in becoming more age-inclusive. 

Creating opportunity at every age 

For PRIME Cymru, the Covenant represents an opportunity to bring employers and older workers together around a shared commitment to ensuring that age does not become a barrier to employment, development or continued participation in the workplace. 

People aged 50 and over bring a wealth of professional and life experience, alongside skills and knowledge developed throughout their careers. Creating more age-inclusive workplaces can help employers recognise and make use of that experience while opening up opportunities for people who want to return to work, change direction, develop new skills or continue working later in life. 

By signing the PRIME Cymru Age-Inclusive Employer Covenant, employers are demonstrating their commitment to valuing older workers and creating opportunities for people aged 50+ to participate fully in working life. 

PRIME Cymru is inviting employers who share this commitment to get involved, sign the Covenant and join the growing conversation around age-inclusive employment in Wales.