We’ve heard a lot about age discrimination legislation but it’s small beer compared to the real problem concerning age and the workplace. It’s writ large for all to see and the demographic figures are stark and unchangeable, but for some reason the realisation is slow. There aren’t – and increasingly won’t be – enough skilled young workers to go round so we’re going to have to keep, and make better use of, the older ones for longer.

How can this be, when it seemed only a short while ago that early retirement was the pattern, with cheery predictions that, in the future, no-one would work past 50? Well, the situation has arisen for a number of reasons: the UK birthrate has long been declining, longevity has increased dramatically over the past couple of generations, and our training provision has failed to keep pace with economic need.

You can download this article free by subscribing and logging in as a Full TJ member

Price: £9.00

Related News

• Call to make it easier for people to work on past retirement
• Age and diversity
• Online Opinion

Related Discussion Topics

• Legislation relevant to recruitment
• Legislation relevant to recruitment
• Legislation relevant to recruitment

Latest News

• New award recognises organisations that invest in employee wellbeing
• Employers failing to Integrate talent management and diversity
• Health sector workforce skills need to be utilised more effectively, report finds
• Millionth worker completes training through Train to Gain
• Last week to apply for cash in return for help in NEET survey