Over 50s will work for nothing to stay employed by Keith Simpson, MD, skilledpeople.com on 22-Aug-2012

Employers are being urged to recruit more oldies after research showing that 65% of job seekers aged over 50 would be willing to work for free was published by the over 50s jobsite, skilledpeople.com.

The survey of 441 over 50s, found that there was a strong willingness to do work experience for no pay, other than expenses, to help secure a new position.

Over three quarters (75.5%) of those surveyed said that they would accept a lower salary than they had earned in the past to secure a new full-time or part-time job.

"It is indicative of the very deep frustration felt by the over 50s that, even with their skills and experience, most would work for nothing," said Keith Simpson, MD of skilledpeople.com.

"This is good news for small and medium sized businesses who can cherry-pick fantastic older people to fill skills gaps at modest cost. Graduate training schemes and youth internships abound, as the country wrings its hands in dismay at youth unemployment, but what of the forgotten over 50s?" he asked.

Skilledpeople.com is run on social enterprise lines to connect businesses looking for experienced, skilled businesses employees with suitable people aged over 50 who are more job-satisfaction orientated than money-motivated.

The site has announced plans to launch an army of 400 highly-experienced older business trouble-shooters from September - people it is calling the 'Silver Bullets'. It hopes that enterprising companies will take full advantage of this new resource.

To find out more or to contact Keith, please visit: www.skilledpeople.com,

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