Age and experience could plug skills gap, says recruiter

Jo Faragher

Older workers could use their experience to help fix the shortfall of skills affecting UK employers, according to interim management and executive recruitment company Executives Online.

The company cites figures from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, which show that over the next 10 years there will be 13.5 million job vacancies but only seven million school and college leavers, leaving a shortfall of 6.5 million people.

James O’Brien, joint managing director at Executives Online, believes that experienced interim managers could provide the “perfect skills” to bridge this gap.

He said: “The fact that people are able and willing to work longer is also contributing to the growth of this larger pool of talent.”

“With government records showing that by 2020, 36% of the working population will be over 50, it stands to reason that older, more experienced professionals will become more widespread within the employment landscape.”

According to Executives Online’s Interim Report – Research and Analysis on the UK Interim Management Market, more than 70% of interims in their survey were over 50 and 18.7% were over 60.

From the client side, reasons for hiring an interim manager show that more than a quarter (28%) did so because they were seeking skills not present in the existing management team. Others cited a need for extra management for a fixed-term project, or difficulty recruiting for a permanent employee.

O’Brien added: “Often older workers are highly valued as part of our recruitment briefs because of the immediate skills and experience they are able to bring to a role. We think this trend is set to continue and grow.”