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The UK workforce is growing steadily older and recently introduced legislation has made age discrimination in employment unlawful.
With around 20% of
new graduates
currently over 25, and
the proportion rising, what does
the legislation mean for mature
graduates?
The new legislation is particularly good news for mature graduates who, in the past, may have struggled to get a foot in the door of companies operating traditional graduate recruitment schemes. Such schemes have often been clearly targeted at young graduates in their early twenties, but this will no longer be allowable.
As a result of the new legislation, many companies will have to rethink or even scrap their "milk run" schemes. In future they will have to show, by the profile of candidates they have selected, that they are not discriminating against more mature applicants - either directly or indirectly.
Many employers, of course, already recognise the very real advantages of recruiting mature graduates. "Mature graduates bring a variety of skills which younger people might not have," says Alison Smith, recruitment marketing manager at the Inland Revenue. Roger Hammett, head of recruitment communications at the BBC, agrees. "There are countless reasons which favour mature graduates in terms of loyalty, improved customer satisfaction and attendance - they even create a better atmosphere because of the age mix."
The message is clear: there's never been a better time to be a mature student!
Many mature students didn't enjoy school first time
round or thought universities and colleges were only
for the elite minority. Times have changed, though,
and now anyone, regardless of age and background,
can enjoy the benefits of higher education. All the
colleges and universities in Norfolk and Waveney
warmly welcome mature students as well as school
leavers and tutors are experienced in supporting
adult learners.
Whatever your reasons for wanting to get into higher
education, you'll find all the help and support you'll
need to succeed and achieve your goals.
... and remember
At any time - from choosing a course through to
applying for entry and funding - you can get advice
and talk through your choices. Staff at the Learning
Shop and in all of the HE institutions will always be
happy to offer guidance
The Learning Shop, Norwich