News Stories
Young Ones Teach Old Dogs New Tricks
15 October 2007 10:08
Company Profile
A majority of older manufacturing workers say they learn new skills from younger colleagues.
More than two-thirds of older workers in the manufacturing industry believe their younger colleagues teach them skills they previously did not have,
according to a new study.
It also found that one-third of younger workers in the sector believe older employees are more likely to work anti-social hours.
The findings lift the lid on the benefits of employing a diverse workforce for both employers and individuals, according to Jobcentre Plus,
the employment body that commissioned the survey.
Across the board, the results show that working in a mixed-aged workforce is important for both older and younger workers in the industry.
JobCentre Plus chief executive Lesley Strathie said: “Both older and younger workers appreciate and learn from the qualities each brings to the workplace.”
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the research shows that the main quality that younger manufacturing workers overwhelmingly believe that their older
colleagues bring is experience, closely followed by knowledge and loyalty.
The vast majority of older workers in manufacturing are impressed by their younger co-workers' ability to learn quickly, be flexible and give them energy.
Qimtek Ltd