SENIORS INCLUSION VIA ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND RETURN TO EMPLOYMENT.UNEMPLOYED SENIORS RETRAINING TOWARD SELF-EMPLOYED ACTIVITY. A SUSTAINABLE AND DUPLICABLE SOLUTION?

<< Background >>In France and Europe, the senior populations often face challenging situations when it comes to re-entering the workforce. This return is lengthy and fraught with obstacles for seniors who hope to secure employment. The causes are numerous and are specified, though not exhaustively, below:- A lack of investment in the training of seniors in many countries, despite the continuous extension of the working age as retirement age continues to rise.- Insufficient specialized training tailored to the needs of seniors: the content and training programs designed for this population are not different from other programs.- Negative stereotypes and biases regarding the ability of seniors to grasp digital and technological concepts.- Entrepreneurship is often considered a enriching and self-determined solution for the younger generation but is not valued for seniors.Fostering a return to employment through entrepreneurship is the response that the SINCERE project (Seniors Inclusion via Entrepreneurship and Return to Employment) aims to provide.<< Objectives >>Create a program to enhance the entrepreneurial capabilities and employment opportunities for unemployed seniors, based on cross-functional skills.Facilitate access to employment or independent activities for individuals over the age of 50.Compare existing initiatives in Europe to transform skills acquired throughout one's professional life into a new independent activity.Contribute to innovation in professional education and training for the reintegration of seniors through the development of new and relevant learning approaches, including blended learning and virtual learning.<< Implementation >>Setting Objectives, Planning, and Data Collection-Addressed common needs and priorities-Determined the collaboration process-Organized activity planning-Established a common framework for analyzing practices and past experiences-Completed files and databaseDesign and Preparation-Evaluated the mode of selection for different job seekers in each country. For example, in France, we favored the support of Pôle Emploi in a specific region.-Decided to start each journey with a Skills Assessment to maximize the benefit of training for the selected individuals.-Placed transversal skills at the core of the program-Designed a training program with modules covering common points but also different developments.Implementation of Activities-Implemented sourcing in each country with local stakeholders, employment agencies, employer unions, and web platforms.-Utilized digital tools (LMS) for e-learning, face-to-face sessions-Translated content-Shared content-Identified and trained trainers-Chose the Skills Assessment moduleMonitoring, Evaluation, and Communication-Created questionnaires for stakeholders.<< Results >>Establishment of a program to enhance entrepreneurial skills and employment opportunities for unemployed seniors, based on cross-functional competencies.Training and support (still ongoing) for individuals over the age of 50 who are in the process of establishing an independent Trainer Consultant activity in three countries, involving the transformation of their professional skills into a new independent venture.Contribution to innovation in professional teaching and training for the reintegration of seniors through the development of new and relevant learning approaches, including blended learning and virtual learning.Exploration of the creation of a European competency certificate in connection with our project in collaboration with the FEDE (European Federation of Schools).Building partnerships with national employment stakeholders (e.g., Pôle emploi in France).Development of educational engineering based on local specificities.Promotion of exchange among trainers from different countries.Implementation of a learning platform based on common and specific programs from each partner.