Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to support mid-career and experienced unemployed professionals to transition into roles that match their existing skills, qualifications, and experience level.

This Government is committed to delivering an employment support system that is personalised to individual needs. Jobseekers, including those with professional experience, can seek tailored and flexible support through Jobcentre Plus. Work Coaches offer personalised advice to help individuals secure roles that reflect their skills, qualifications and prior experience, alongside targeted job‑search support.

Where appropriate, Work Coaches also identify any skills gaps and signpost jobseekers to relevant training and provision, ensuring they are well‑placed to access suitable employment and progress in their careers.

Where those mid-career and experienced unemployed professional are aged 50 and over and in receipt of benefits, jobcentres provide additional dedicated support, including 50PLUS Champions, Additional Work Coach Time, a Midlife MOT as well as a digital Midlife MOT available to all.

From 1^st October careers advice in England is being delivered through careers advisers within DWP for adults (and those who are under 18 and eligible). Careers Advice will continue to support anyone who is looking for work, who wants to get on in work, or who wants to change their career or retrain, regardless of whether they are claiming benefits. Careers information and advice is available via the ‘Get careers information and advice’ website www.nationalcareers.service.gov.uk. Qualified careers advisers also provide in-depth guidance to customers who face greater barriers to working or learning, including adults who have been unemployed or economically inactive for more than 12 months and those aged 50 and over who are unemployed or at demonstrable risk of unemployment.

As part of our development of the new Jobs and Careers Service, we are reforming employment support to make it more inclusive and better tailored to individual needs, including mid-career and experienced workers. As part of the service, we have launched new digital tools, known as ‘Work Hub’, which are available to all. Work Hub provides access to an online AI work assistant, a CV builder and new job search tool to support individuals transition into suitable roles.