PEOPLE aged over 50 got another chance to put their skills to the test whether looking for jobs, planning to retraining or become a volunteer when Education Secretary Damian Hinds held his second New Directions exhibition at Alton College on Friday.

And Mr Hinds praised the “wealth of public-spirited people” in the town.

Exhibition stalls representing training and support groups, employment providers and voluntary organisations filled the college auditorium, proving there was no need for anyone to worry about having to retrain for a new job, being bored in retirement or, when it comes to a loved one, finding the best care for the handicapped and elderly.

After meeting exhibitors and finding who or what they represented, East Hampshire MP Mr Hinds opened the exhibition with an informal speech on what had inspired him to produce a life skills exhibition.

“It was when I was minister for employment and I kept meeting companies eulogising about the value of the skills of older people,” said Mr Hinds.

“I found this encouraging, particularly as we are an ageing society.

“I was also pleased to find there were a lot of opportunities for the over-50s to re-train and, one that surprised me, on how to become an over-50s physical training instructor.

“From an employer’s point of view, people with diverse skills are valuable as they can mentor and bring on young people in the workplace and also help fill vacancies.”

He said he had embarked on setting up New Directions to find out what voluntary organisations were available and how public spirited people were.

“And here, in Alton, you have a richness of these,” he said. “I want to thank Amanda Gallagher for her organisation last year and I am glad to be here to welcome a second New Directions exhibition.

“I also want to thank the organisations here today, those giving talks about their work, and Google and NatWest for running workshops, plus representatives from the Kingsley Centre on the good work they do.

“Also, welcome to a reporter and photographer from the Alton Herald, as it is essential to have a vibrant local paper and you should talk to them about their work.”

Mr Hinds said two other highlights were free health checks and a free Dementia Friends information session.

And he concluded by welcoming East Hampshire District Council chairman Anthony Williams and thanking the district and county council, Community First and Alton College for their “help and support”.

Throughout the day there were talks by Tom Yendell, who was born without arms but is a noted mouth-and-foot artist, on overcoming barriers; Sue Dell and Community First on ‘Your Community Needs You’ and of the enormous benefits of offering time as a volunteer; and Aspiral Learning and Future Skills Centre called their talk It’s Never Too Late to Learn.

The variety of exhibitors proved there are many projects for which people can volunteer, including the CAB, beer festivals, Open Sight, Home-Start WeyWater, Rotary clubs and the Curtis Museum.

The Alton Society, Alton Lions, Wey Valley Radio, Hampshire Search and Rescue, Energy Alton, Alton Local Food Initiative, Resurrection Furniture, Stroke Association, The King’s Arms, Alton Men’s Shed, Staffline, The Treloar Trust, Veolia, Whitman Laboratories and Wote Street People recruitment agency were also represented.

As were Jobcentre Plus, Radian EST, local solicitors, ambulance service, care homes and riding for the disabled, Alton Community Centre, Alton Library and the Stroke Association.

Training and support exhibitors included Aspiral Learning, Community First, Ensurety, Foundations Teaching School Alliance, Future Skills Centre, Hampshire Libraries, Hill McManus, National Career Services, The Training Room, Alton U3A and Wheels to Work.

With plenty to see and talk about, visitors were glad to take a break in the cafe run by Alton WI, who were busy serving tea, coffee and cakes with the proceeds going to charity.