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Ageism begins at ...? 29 August 1997 A study by the Employers Forum on Age & Austin Knight
Figures currently available will only give an outline of an industry's age profile. Nevertheless the results of the EFA's study indicate that not only does ageism hit both young and old, but also it appears to hit certain professions more than others. * Towards a balanced workforce - survey by the EFA & Austin Knight, Autumn 1996 QUASHING SOME MYTHS Policemen No, policemen are not getting younger. LFS figures show that there were about 12,000 more policemen employed in the lower ranks of the force (sergeant and below) in 1996 than in 1991 and 24% of these are under 29 years old. Five years ago the number of under 29s was 34%, so all the signs are that the police force seems to be keeping track with demographic changes in our ageing society. IT Software Engineers One of the most common misconceptions about older workers is that they and information technology do not mix. Yet from 1991 to 1997 the number of software engineers over 40 has risen from 25% to 36% and this figure looks set to rise. Perhaps the IT industry has realised that it is no longer possible to rely on the traditional supply of young people to fill their situations vacant. Unless companies are able to recruit, train and retain older workers, there is a real danger that they will experience skills shortages. Piano Tuners Piano tuners appear to be a dying breed. Their numbers over the last five years have fallen more than 50%. Of those remaining, 61% are aged between 25 and 29 years old. However.... Undertakers Are not a dying breed. Their age spread remains balanced and, according to the LFS, there were 4000 more of them in 1996 than in 1991. As our society ages there will be economic changes which manufacturers and services will need to adapt to. Inevitably funeral services will be one of the growth industries. THE OLDER WORKER Judges & Court Officers Judges and Court Officers are getting older, and dramatically so. In 1991 11% were over 55 and a small percentage over 65. Labour Force figures reveal that 33% of all judges and court officers are aged 55 - 69, and more than half of these are over 65. Dispensing Opticians Watch out if you are an ageing optician. Whereas 59% were over 40 in 1991, this figure plummeted to 16% in 1996. In 1991 only 23% of dispensing opticians were aged between 20 - 29, the latest figures reveal that this number has shot up to 60% in just five years. Clothing Designers The death of the older couturier is obvious when you study the figures. There are now only 2% of all designers aged over 55 - and they are all aged between 65 - 69 years old. Bank Managers The total number of bank managers is falling due to widespread re-structuring in many high street banks. Of those who remain however, 36% are aged 25 - 34 years old (in 1991 the figure was 27%) and only 12% are aged between 50 - 59 (20% in 1991). THE YOUNGER WORKER Bar Staff The good news for younger workers is that the pub industry is booming and that this is a young person's profession. There were approximately 20,000 more bar staff in 1996, compared to 1991. Today, 62% of all bar staff are under 30 years old and 22% are under 20. Travel Agency managers There has been very little growth in the number of jobs for Travel Agency managers and once again, it is a profession which is dominated by younger workers. However there were changes within the age profile of the industry which indicate that older workers are becoming more valued. Between 1991 and 1996 the percentage of younger workers fell, and only those managers aged over 50 experienced a growth in numbers. Management Consultants & Business Analysts In 1996 over 40% of all Management Consultants were under 35 years old. Management Consultancy as an industry has grown enormously and therefore there is a corresponding increase in the number of consultants aged between 45 - 59. The only age category to suffer a fall is the 60+ who have dropped by 50%. back to the archive |
