Over 1,250 seniors look for work at the “Jobs 60+” job fair in Bengaluru

Bengaluru: Dressed in formal attire and equipped with up-to-date CVs, over 1,250 seniors gathered at the “Jobs 60+” job fair in Bangalore National Park on Sunday. The event was organised by the Nightingales Medical Trust in association with Rotary Bangalore West and St. Joseph's University and provided a platform for older people to explore employment opportunities and regain financial independence.

The majority of participants were motivated by the need to stay employed and independent, and many also wanted to take on financial challenges. For Syed Anjum, a 56-year-old trader with 25 years of experience in a management position, the job fair was a crucial opportunity to improve his financial situation.

Vasanthalakshmi and Sundar Raman, both in their mid-60s, were also keen to find a job that would enable them to meet their daily needs. “We don't have any children. My husband worked in an optician's shop and I was an accountant in a private company. Since we retired, it has become really difficult for us to pay the rent and other bills in view of the rising inflation,” says Vasanthalakshmi.

While financial necessity was a common theme among participants, some participants like Shyama, a 66-year-old retired teacher, were driven by a desire to learn new skills and remain independent. “I don't see myself as dependent on my daughter or son. I'd rather try something new,” she explained.

Others, like Padmashri and Sanjay K, both former engineers, were looking for roles that aligned with their social interests. Padmashri expressed keen interest in working with organizations that focus on women empowerment.

The job fair offered 1,077 jobs from 72 employers in a variety of industries, including engineering, marketing, administration, accounting, supervisory and security. In addition, there were 1,450 self-employment opportunities, mainly in the insurance sector.

Since its launch in 2011, the “Jobs 60+” fair has successfully placed 3,500 seniors between the ages of 55 and 70 in various jobs, according to the organizers.

Karthik Ganesh, head of sales at Saira Jobs, a Bengaluru-based startup that focuses on upskilling seniors, people with special skills and women returning to the workforce, acknowledged the challenges of integrating older employees into modern workplaces. “Aligning them with company goals and analyzing their qualifications can be a difficult task for HR professionals,” he noted. However, he stressed that the experience and commitment of older employees can add significant value to startups that need talented individuals willing to work for a base salary.

Dr. Radha S. Murthy, co-founder and managing trustee of Nightingales Medical Trust, highlighted the urgent need for such initiatives. She noted that in 2021, nearly 89 percent of India's 138 million senior citizens were not covered by a social security scheme after retirement and thus had to rely on savings and family support.

The job fair highlighted the growing demand for employment opportunities for older people and the crucial role such initiatives play in ensuring their financial security and well-being.

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