A charity set up by Prince Charles has warned that older jobseekers are being "discriminated against" in Wales.
The Prince's Initiative for Mature Enterprise in Wales - known as 'Prime Cymru' - believes the Welsh government has "abandoned" older people looking for jobs and wants the flagship anti-unemployment programme 'Jobs Growth Wales' to be opened up to all ages in attempt to increase employment for the over 50's.
The charity - which believes there are three times more older people looking for jobs who are not in education, employment or training positions - is arguing for "equal measures" of support for all job hunters.
David Pugh, chief executive of Prime Cymru stated: "We applaud the work of Jobs Growth Wales and welcome the effort and resources that the Welsh Government have expended on addressing the devastating effects that youth unemployment has had in Wales. However, we believe that the 200,000 people over fifty who are jobless should have the same opportunities and level of support.
"We are not asking for special treatment, we are asking for equal treatment... If you lose your job in your fifties you are statistically more likely to die than to find another job."
"We would call upon the Welsh Government to adapt current programmes to remove age barriers and ensure that all future employment, training and skills programmes are age proofed to ensure they are open to all, fair and appropriate."
The Welsh Government is yet to comment on the claims.
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