Apprentices Aged 60+ are Booming in the UK

Although British government-run job training programs are intended to help young workers learn new skills, more and more pensioners are jumping at the opportunity to take on apprenticeships. Participants in the program receive specialized training on the job while doing paid work. The Daily Mail has the scoop on the aged apprentices:

“The number of workers aged 60 or over taking up placements has soared from 400 to 2,480 in the past five years. It is thought employers are opting for older staff as they find younger workers lack the right skills and work ethic.”

What’s more, it’s reported that people in the 45-59 age range make up about 10% (41,850) of this year’s total apprentices. The reasons for this are twofold. First, there’s a legitimate demand for older workers. As was mentioned in the excerpt above, there’s a prevalent feeling that older and more experienced Britons are better workers than their younger counterparts. The article also mentions that elderly customers prefer to talk to folks their own age when asking questions, especially ones related to technology. Second, folks above 60 have both the necessary time to take on these roles and the hunger for new skills, either to keep them sharp or simply to try something new.

Take a look at the full piece (linked below) and let us know what you think.