Older workers

Looking for work is not a problem just for Administrator's its a problem for everyone if you are over a certain age in the UK. You cannot believe the obstacle course put in the way of older workers gaining help and advice until you have experienced it. Even employers of Job shops go misty eyed when asked for advice on training by the over 40's or is it the over 25's. I would like to explain the various loop-holes and contortions of the system which decides on what training or grants for training are available but I cannot as it is not even understood by the people who administer it.
Throughout one thing has become clear; there is discrimination on the age issue. This is done indirectly by putting what seems to be arbitrary obstacles in your path.
An example would be getting funding for a course if you are already studying 12 hours per week.
That would be a student then not an older worker who can't afford to get on a course they need hence their original application. If you are this, do this, and if you are that do the other, instead of offering training and funding to people on the basis that they are out of work and need re-training or top up education we have a rag-tag affair created by sound bite government policy.

The cynical would think it was deliberate confusion to keep applications to a minimum.

What do you think?

Jobs for the young

It was very alarming watching a documentary last-night about age discrimination amongst employers. To be precise it was not employers but recruitment agencies which were in the spot-light. It seems they have an aversion to employing older staff. Being an older worker myself an uncomfortable feeling came over me. The programme did not go into great detail about why this discrimination existed ( if in fact it does ) and what can be done about it.

I have seen a trend however amongst recruitment agencies of advertising for their own ranks from graduates. These post are not for a minor administration role ie learning the ropes, and work your way up, but for people to start new accounts and the money to be earnt can be astronomical. They almost contort the English language to try and ask for kids straight out of university and stop just short of getting in to trouble by discriminating themselves. You can tell the style; its all ridiculous rhetoric. Now its sad fact of life that age groups, socio-economic groups tend to cling together and perhaps unconsciously discriminate. Is this what we are seeing today. Are these go-getter types coming between you and that plum job. One elderly gentleman featured on the programme kept getting told by the agencies, and I repeat agencies "we have lost your CV" yes they kept tossing it in the bin and didn't have the guts to admit it.

How many employers I wonder have any idea this is going on?

My favourite which I read last week in a job description was; I quote, 'the ideal candidate will be qualified but have no previous experience'. Tough luck grandad!

I sent an email here; agepositive@dwp.gsi.gov.uk and if you see this nonsense click here yourself and let them know.