News and features

Fri, 20 May 2011

Keep experienced staff, expert says

Employees over 50 are a valuable asset for companies looking to weather hard economic times, according to the Age and Employment Network.

Older employees have experience that can be invaluable to the tenacity and future success of a small business, according to an employment expert.

Chris Ball, chief executive of the Age and Employment Network (AEN), said companies are underestimating the value of these workers.

This attitude could cost businesses dearly when they attempted to grow again after the current period of economic crisis, he added.

"When the recession bottoms out, recovery may be more difficult if older workers with experience in cart loads have all disappeared," he added.

Research by AEN revealed the majority of people over 50 feel they are discriminated against while seeking a job.

According to the survey, reported by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, 63 per cent of respondents thought employers viewed them as too old.

Jobseekers over 50 can tie their experience to personal development by taking a business-related course to keep their knowledge current or slightly ahead of the pack.

To find out more about how you can learn useful business skills, take a look at our wide range of courses to find one most suited for you.