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Younger workers 'lack key skills'

May 12 2008

Entrepreneurs are increasingly employing older workers instead of school or university-leavers whom they believe have a lack of skills, according to research from the Tenon Forum.

Research found that almost a third of small to medium-sized businesses have a 'strong representation' of workers aged 50 and above and many use older workers as mentors for younger employees.

Some 22 per cent of entrepreneurial businesses were found to prefer employing older workers over college and school-leavers because they are seen as more ready for work.

Khalid Aziz, entrepreneur and Aziz Corporation chairman, says that his firm is becoming 'increasingly frustrated' with younger workers who 'do not possess basic skills' and who 'take work for granted or, worse, treat it as an extension of their social lives'.

Many workers are delaying retirement because of recent age discrimination legislation and pensions fears.

Research by insurance company LV= found that two-thirds of workers aged over 50 are worried about their projected income during retirement.

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