On April 16, at Inter Expo Center in Sofia, the first in Bulgaria Career Forum for Mature Professionals “50 Reasons More” was held, organized by the Young Talents Bulgaria platform and supported by members of the SofiaLab coalition within the framework of the Synclusive project: Sofia Development Association, Employment Agency, Sofia Municipality, Invest Sofia, as well as media partners – Leader.bg, Focus News and others.
The event brought together employers, non-governmental organizations, local and national institutions that develop a favorable environment for professional, social and personal development of people of mature age, who often face challenges for their career development and well-being.
The share of the population over 55 years of age in Europe is growing. According to Eurostat data, the average age of the population—including in Bulgaria—is now around or above 45. As a result of the increase in the retirement age, social and other changes in people’s lives, mature people are already over 30% of the workforce, and they are the new big wave of entrepreneurs in startups, at the university, in their careers, including with life twists and turns. On the other hand, businesses and institutions are in the process of developing corporate and social policies and initiatives to take the best from all 4-5 generations on the labor market.
Within the framework of the forum, the Deputy Mayor of Sofia Municipality Nikola Barbutov presented the policies and role of local authorities, the models that are tested in SofiaLab, the interactions with employers and the opportunities for qualification and access to the labor market for people over 50.
As part of the program, an activating event of the Syncusive project took place. Sofia Kaytazka presented the interventions developed and implemented in SofiaLab to jobseekers and employers so as to attract more interested supporters and participants. Notably, the SofiaLab coalition expanded, welcoming two new members!
