In addition to harnessing the potential of the commercial sector and the German states, there is a need to tap into the creativity that exists at regional level to re-integrate the older long-term unemployed into the labour market. The federal programme Perspektive 50plus, running from 2011 to 2015, supports regional projects around the country in which a total of 421 welfare offices and other labour market participants have come together to form 78 employment pacts. These employment pacts aim to develop greater appreciation across society and in the labour market for the abilities and potential of older people.

Conceived with the specific characteristics of each region’s labour market in mind, the 78 employment pacts represent an innovative new model for discovering ways to offer older long-term unemployed persons a fair chance in the labour market. The tightly woven collaborative network that characterises the pacts enables participants to share their knowledge and experiences and thus disseminate new approaches and good examples of real-world practice.

gsub is involved in the following aspects of the programme Perspektive 50plus – Employment Pacts for Older Workers in the Regions:

• Providing professional guidance on the content of the programme’s 78 regional pilot projects
• Promoting the growth and reinforcement of local and interregional networks by creating cross-regional opportunities for sharing information and experiences as well as organising regional workshops and annual national meetings
• Developing and maintaining an internet platform for the programme
• Supporting the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs in promoting public awareness of the programme
• Assisting the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs in its efforts to coordinate research support

Contact partners:

Dr. Reiner Aster, Project Manager
Phone: 49 (0)30 2840 9100
E-mail: reiner.aster@gsub.de

Michael Reher, Project Manager
Phone: +49 (0)30 2840 9520
E-mail: michael.reher@gsub.de

Dr. Dieter Simon, Project Manager
Phone: +49 (0)30 2840 9450
E-mail: dieter.simon@gsub.de