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Food and drink employers urged to train older workers

Employers in food and drink manufacturing are to be given advice and practical examples to promote the benefits of investing more in training their older workers.

Improve, the food and drink Sector Skills Council, has commissioned research to find out what practices leading employers already have in place to develop the skills of older workers, and will gather case studies that can be shared with other employers throughout the sector.

Jack Matthews, chief executive of Improve, said: "Food and drink manufacturing, like practically every other sector, is characterised by an aging workforce.

"An estimated 37 per cent of employees are aged between 45 and 64, but we believe that many employers overlook the opportunity to continue developing the skills of this group.

"Older workers are generally highly experienced and often already highly skilled, but in many cases they could make an even more valuable contribution to productivity if they had the chance to learn new skills."

The results of the study are expected by August. Improve says the results will also be used to help employers understand how best to comply with new EU legislation on age discrimination, which comes into force in October.

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