The value of older workers has been illustrated in the case of a trainee lawyer who is approaching retirement.
Some recent research and ensuing media coverage has suggested employers could be more inclined to choose younger candidates for jobs and shed older employees when redundancies are made.
However, a law firm has spoken about its newest trainee solicitor and why it chose to invest so much in a man who will be 58 when he qualifies.
West Yorkshire company Last Cawthra Feather (LCF) has taken on 56-year-old Steve Willey on a lawyer training contract.
Previously Mr Willey has worked for a bank, a trade union, employment organisations and the Citizens Advice Bureau, according to details published in the Lawyer online journal.
He began working for LCF as a paralegal in 2001 and after improving his skills and training by completing his legal practice qualifications they offered him the lawyer training contract.
A spokesperson for the company said: "Age doesn't come into it. This is a man looking for a career change.
"We are supporting him through his final exams to qualify as a solicitor and to then take him on a training contract.
"I would think it is unusual, as most trainees are straight out of university, but I think everybody has something to give and his experience of life is an asset."
A recent report by Personnel Today suggested there is a false image of older workers as being less productive than their younger colleagues.
In fact, the website said, older workers have more experience in life and work and do not need to be supervised.
They are also less prone to being off sick and stay in jobs longer.