Over-50s apprenticeships double

Submitted by Matt Chapman on Wed, 06/10/2010 - 09:05

The number of people aged over 50 taking up apprenticeships has nearly doubled in two years, say charities.

Age UK and The Age Employment Network said a rapid expansion of places in 2007 coupled with the recession has led to the rise in "silver apprentices".

According to the charities, the number of apprenticeships taken up by the over-50s jumped from just over 2,600 to more than 5,000 in that time.

The figure includes 400 people in their 60s and 13 in their 70s.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11481726

Interesting move. Can't say it's ever something I'd even considered before.

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Submitted by Chris Holmes MCMI on Sun, 24/10/2010 - 20:29

It would be interesting to know what the breakdown is percentage wise of the sectors (eg. retail, manufacturing, services etc)

Also did they have a similar trade beforehand? e.g on a plumbers course, but a skilled carpenter, a clothes deisgner and now a retail clothing apprentice, a tradesman and now working in DIY (or something similar)

this could be quite an interesting area for managers to explore .... although, age discrimination comes to mind, wonders whether you can be a trainee manager ( retail or office).. as in how many realistically would hire such an aged candidate?