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No Substitute for Experience – Why Older Workers Could Hold Key in Downturn
West Midlands employers are being urged to take full advantage of the skills and experience of older people during the economic downturn.
Research commissioned by the Learning and Skills Council shows that employers are increasingly aware of the benefits of older job applicants when searching for recruits with personal qualities such as loyalty, experience and reliability.
Other perceived advantages include practical issues such as better retention, fewer training needs, and fewer family and childcare commitments.
There are nearly one million over-50s still of normal working age in the West Midlands out of a total population of more than five million. The study aims to inform future learning and skills policy so that the regional economy derives maximum benefit from this age cohort and individuals in it have access to opportunities that enable them to continue to fulfil their potential.
Key findings:
· the older people are, the more likely they are to have no qualifications. Nearly 60 per cent of people aged 60 to 64 have no qualifications – a proportion that rises steadily from 26 per cent among those aged between 40 and 44 (see Note 4).
· Although most employed older workers had a positive attitude to work, this was balanced by reservations about stress and excessive paperwork.
· A large proportion of employed participants believed that larger employers offer more advantages to older workers, including clearer progression routes and better policies on issues such as flexible working and job-sharing.
· In addition to the need for an income, many older workers cited a sense of purpose, boredom avoidance, stress reduction and social engagement as motivations for remaining employed.
· Several older workers believe members of their age group have a negative attitude towards training, qualifications, IT and the stresses of the modern workplace which could create a barrier to employment.
Jerry Blackett, chief executive of Birmingham Chamber, said: ''The slowing economy means employers will be pressured to cut costs where possible and they will be more aware than ever that older workers can be potentially more expensive.
“Equally, at a time when value for money is paramount, a cool assessment might give the added productivity of a great older worker a real competitive edge in the jobs market. What is certain is that there is now a premium on performance. Old or young, employers cannot afford to carry passengers.”
West Midlands Learning and Skills Council research advisor James Davison, who chaired the research steering group, said: “The proportion of the workforce at the upper end of the age scale is increasing so it is encouraging that employers value the particular skills and experience that this cohort offers.”
Notes
1. The full report Labour Market and Training Experiences of Older Workers in the West Midlands is available to view or download at:
http://readingroom.lsc.gov.uk/lsc/WestMidlands/Labour_market_research_wm.pdf
2. For the purposes of the research, ‘older workers’ were defined as those between 50 and 70 years of age.
3. The research was managed in partnership between the LSC, Coventry University, the Age and Employment Network, West Midlands Regional Observatory, Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, Black Country Coalition, Advantage West Midlands, VT Research and Circles Network.
4. Percentage of West Midlands residents with no qualifications:
|
Age Band |
% |
|
40-44 |
26 |
|
45-49 |
33.8 |
|
50-54 |
40.3 |
|
55-59 |
49.9 |
|
60-64 |
59.2 |
