British Gas Academy: How British Gas Embraced Anti-Ageism Legislation

Objectives:

• To fully embrace anti-ageism legislation in regards to its training and recruitment activities.
• To attract older individuals and tap into their experience and well developed life skills.

Context

• British Gas Services is the largest domestic central heating and gas appliance installation company in the UK, providing customers with maintenance and breakdown cover.
• The British Gas Academy was developed to recruit and train individuals to be part of British Gas Services and it recruits approximately 1,000 engineers in a year.

Approach taken

• British Gas undertook a complete audit of the Academy in order to review all the existing processes, policies and strategies relating to the age legislation.
• The Academy decided to remove existing age bands for its apprenticeship and trainee positions, opening up jobs to all age groups.
• Removal of the use of words such as ‘experience' and ‘young' from its printed and online recruitment information and application forms to remove any age bias. Recruitment and diversity specialists were trained on the danger of using these terms.
• Lifestyle contracts were introduced to enable individuals, who find the rigours of call out and shift working incompatible with their lifestyle, to opt for a less demanding role.

Results

• The average age of British Gas apprentices rose from 21 to 24 years. The oldest apprentice taken on was 56 years old.
• Training officers report that the behaviour and maturity of the groups of apprentices has improved.
• Younger members say the older trainees often act as life mentors.
• A bigger target recruitment market means reduced costs and the company has seen wider diversity in the applicant pool.