CHICAGO: Far from slowing down as they near retirement age, more and more over-60s are learning a new trade as apprentices.
Figures show they are the fastest-growing age group among those in the Government’s on-the-job training scheme – intended to help school leavers.
The number of workers aged 60 or over taking up placements has soared from 400 to 2,480 in the past five years.
A growing number of pensioners are learning new skills as apprentices.
It is thought employers are opting for older staff as they find younger workers lack the right skills and work ethic.
A recent report by accountants KPMG found ‘more and more companies recognize the high value of older workers’ knowledge and skills’.
A spokesman for the financial giant said: ‘Older workers may take a more considered approach because they have more experience’.
‘It is about using knowledge of what has gone before to understand what will work today.’
He added that there was a ‘massive misconception’ that older workers cannot learn to use new technology…